India has pointed fingers at Pakistan for the recent unrest in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, where 12 people have died and over 150 have been injured. The Ministry of External Affairs condemned the violence by Pakistani forces on civilians in the region, emphasizing that Pakistan’s control over the territory is illegal and forced.
Speaking on the situation, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal urged the international community to hold Pakistan responsible for the human rights violations in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, which is currently experiencing significant turmoil. India has consistently asserted that Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir is an integral part of its territory, stating that any future discussions with Pakistan would focus on the return of the region.
While Pakistan has indirectly blamed India for the unrest, Indian authorities have highlighted Pakistan’s oppressive actions and exploitation of resources in the region as the root cause of the crisis. The protests in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir began on September 29 when the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee marched over the government’s failure to address key demands, including political reforms and the abolition of assembly seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees.
The protests have escalated into a broader movement against the Pakistani military’s actions, with demonstrations spreading to cities like Islamabad and Karachi. A negotiating committee appointed by the Shehbaz Sharif government has arrived in Muzaffarabad to engage in talks with protest leaders in an attempt to quell the unrest.
As a result of the unrest, daily life in many districts of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir has come to a standstill, with markets closed, and communication services disrupted for the fifth consecutive day. The situation remains tense as efforts are made to address the grievances of the protesters and restore calm to the region.