India urged the international community to hold Pakistan accountable following reports of deaths and injuries during a police crackdown on protesters in Rawalkot, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Speaking at the weekly media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal alleged that Pakistan had committed serious human rights violations in the region and described the police action against demonstrators as severe.
The remarks came amid reports that police used force against protesters who were demonstrating against sharp increases in the prices of essential commodities, including flour. Demonstrators also called for the removal of the reservation of 12 seats for refugees in the legislative elections scheduled for July 27.
“There are reports of severe police brutality in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir in which several protesters have been killed and many injured. We hope the international community will hold Pakistan accountable for its misdeeds and abuses,” said Mr. Jaiswal in the briefing.
PoK has experienced similar unrest and crackdowns in recent years. In 2025, clashes between protesters and law enforcement resulted in the deaths of nine individuals, including both civilians and police personnel. The latest round of protests, launched on June 5 under the leadership of the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), was driven by demands for subsidies on electricity and flour, as well as the restoration of civil liberties in Muzaffarabad, Rawalkot, and Mirpur.
Mr. Jaiswal also referred to what he described as an online disinformation campaign aimed at discrediting the protesters.
“We continue to see in this context, a pattern of fake news and videos emanating from Pakistan. It is a desperate attempt by Pakistan to cover-up its own failings and deflect attention from its human rights abuses.”
The recent developments, including reports of internet shutdowns in PoK, have drawn international attention. Imran Hussain, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Kashmir in the UK House of Commons, along with several other British Members of Parliament, wrote to British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper seeking clarification on whether the crackdown had affected British citizens in the region.
In his June 6 letter, Mr. Hussain emphasized the need for a peaceful resolution to the situation, stating: “The people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (PoK), and the many British Kashmiris with deep family and community ties to the region, deserve peace, stability, and the opportunity for their concerns to be addressed through dialogue rather than confrontation,” said Mr. Hussain in his June 6 letter addressed to Foreign Secretary Cooper.
