MUZAFFARABAD: At least 18 people were killed and dozens critically wounded following heavy military action deployed by security forces against civilian protests across Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. Demonstrations organized in Rawalakot and adjoining sectors against economic hardships, high inflation, and civic rights restrictions were met with military-grade aerial drones and heavy automatic weapon fire.
Local civilian monitoring groups and witnesses reported that security personnel targeted primary public squares and surrounding residential perimeters to disperse public gatherings. Eye-witness accounts further alleged that forces cordoned off incident sites following the strikes, blocking emergency responders and preventing relatives from retrieving the deceased. Local community leaders later displayed debris from drone-dropped munitions and rocket casings,condemning the assault as an excessive use of military force on unarmed civilians.
The violent confrontation triggered widespread outrage and escalated civilian resistance throughout the region, leading to shutdown calls across commercial markets. In response to mounting protests, regional administrative authorities suspended local internet and cellular services, while civic human rights organizations called for immediate scrutiny and intervention from international monitors.