MEA slams Pakistan over PoK elections: '90 civilians killed, a complete farce'
Synopsis
India's MEA has called Pakistan's PoK elections a 'complete farce' — and the numbers behind that charge are stark. At least 90 civilians reportedly killed since June, live fire against unarmed protesters in Bagh, and motorcycles set ablaze in Muzaffarabad: the JKJAAC is now appealing to the UN and OHCHR as Pakistan attempts to paper over a deepening crisis with a contested ballot.
Key Takeaways
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on 4 August called PoK's local elections a 'complete farce' and demanded Pakistan be held internationally accountable.
At least 90 civilians have reportedly been killed in PoK since June 2024 , according to the MEA; the JKJAAC puts the figure at more than 50 .
The JKJAAC 's protests, which began on 5 June , represent the most extensive confrontation between PoK residents and the Pakistani state in decades.
Pakistani forces allegedly opened live fire and used tear gas in Bagh district and set civilians' motorcycles ablaze in Makri, Muzaffarabad .
The JKJAAC has urged the UN , OHCHR , and international human rights bodies to independently monitor the situation and ensure accountability.
India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday, 4 August sharply condemned Pakistan for conducting what it called a 'so-called local elections' in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), describing the electoral exercise as a 'complete farce' that cannot obscure a deepening human rights crisis in the territory. The rebuke came amid reports of violent clashes, alleged electoral rigging, and a sustained crackdown that has, according to the MEA, claimed the lives of at least 90 civilians since June 2024.
What the MEA Said
Addressing the bi-weekly media briefing in New Delhi, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal did not mince words. 'This so-called local elections in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is a complete farce. The real happening is that of public protests and wanton killings by the Pakistani forces. Such hollow exercises cannot hide reality. Since June this year, at least 90 civilians have lost their lives in the continuing crackdown, many more have been injured as you have seen,' Jaiswal stated.
He further said: 'The Pakistani establishment has answered public discontent with bullets, blackouts, intimidation and repression and now seeks to manufacture legitimacy through a hollow electoral exercise. It must be held accountable and the world should see through the veneer of Pakistan's hypocritical lecturing on human rights.' Jaiswal explicitly called for Pakistan to be held accountable before the international community.
Ground Situation in PoK
Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir is currently witnessing what observers describe as the most extensive confrontation between the local population and the Pakistani state in decades. Protests led by the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC) began on 5 June and have continued to intensify. The JKJAAC has alleged that Pakistani security forces launched a severe crackdown in which more than 50 people have been killed and hundreds injured over the past several weeks — a figure that diverges from the MEA's tally of at least 90 civilian deaths, underscoring the difficulty of independently verifying casualty numbers in the territory.
Earlier on Tuesday, the JKJAAC alleged that Pakistani forces opened live fire and used tear gas against unarmed civilians in Bagh district. Separate allegations include security personnel setting civilians' motorcycles ablaze in the Makri region of Muzaffarabad district.
JKJAAC Calls for International Scrutiny
The JKJAAC has appealed to the United Nations, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), international media, and human rights organisations to closely monitor the deteriorating situation. In posts on social media platform X, the committee called for an immediate and independent investigation and accountability for any unlawful use of force.
In one post, the JKJAAC stated: 'Security forces are using live fire and tear gas against unarmed civilians in Bagh. We call on the United Nations, OHCHR, international media, and human rights organisations to urgently monitor the situation and press for the protection of civilians and accountability for any unlawful use of force.'
A second post added: 'This video shows security personnel setting fire to civilians' motorcycles in Makri, Muzaffarabad. We call on the United Nations, OHCHR, international media, and human rights organisations to document these reported incidents and press for an independent investigation and accountability.'
Electoral Process Under a Cloud
The first phase of elections in PoK has been overshadowed by violent clashes, allegations of rigging, and the killing of political workers, according to local media reports. Coalition partners in PoK have reportedly accused each other of undermining the electoral process, casting further doubt on the legitimacy of the exercise. This comes amid one of the most turbulent political periods in the territory's recent history.
What Comes Next
India's demand for international accountability places fresh pressure on Pakistan ahead of upcoming UN Human Rights Council sessions. Whether global bodies respond to the JKJAAC's appeals for independent monitoring will be a key indicator of how much diplomatic weight New Delhi's position carries. The situation on the ground in PoK remains volatile, and further escalation cannot be ruled out.
Point of View
But the MEA's casualty figure of 90 dead diverges from the JKJAAC's own count of over 50 — a discrepancy that Pakistan will exploit to question New Delhi's credibility. The deeper strategic play here is India's push to internationalise the PoK crisis precisely as Pakistan tries to normalise the territory through elections. Whether the UN and OHCHR respond meaningfully will test the limits of India's diplomatic leverage. Historically, global bodies have been slow to act on PoK, and Pakistan's nuclear status gives it insulation that smaller states do not enjoy. New Delhi's best tool remains consistent, documented pressure — but that requires coordination with like-minded democracies, not just press briefings.
NationPress
4 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did India's MEA say about the PoK elections?
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on 4 August called the PoK local elections a 'complete farce', saying Pakistan had answered public discontent with bullets, blackouts, intimidation, and repression. He demanded that Pakistan be held accountable and that the international community see through what he described as a hollow attempt to manufacture legitimacy.
How many civilians have been killed in the PoK crackdown?
According to the MEA, at least 90 civilians have been killed in PoK since June 2024. The JKJAAC, which is leading the protests, has cited a figure of more than 50 killed. The discrepancy reflects the difficulty of independently verifying casualty numbers in the territory.
Who is the JKJAAC and what are they demanding?
The Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC) is the civil society body leading protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir since 5 June. It has called on the UN, OHCHR, and international human rights organisations to monitor the situation, press for an independent investigation, and ensure accountability for alleged unlawful use of force by Pakistani security personnel.
What specific incidents have been alleged in PoK?
The JKJAAC has alleged that Pakistani security forces used live fire and tear gas against unarmed civilians in Bagh district, and that security personnel set civilians' motorcycles on fire in the Makri region of Muzaffarabad district. These allegations were shared with video footage on social media platform X.
Why is India calling the PoK elections a farce?
India argues that holding elections while simultaneously conducting a violent crackdown on protesters — resulting in at least 90 civilian deaths according to the MEA — renders the electoral exercise illegitimate. New Delhi contends the elections are an attempt by Pakistan to manufacture political legitimacy in a territory gripped by mass public discontent.
