PoK unrest: JAAC video shows Pakistani forces assaulting civilian, demands UN probe
Synopsis
A video released by the JAAC allegedly showing Pakistani forces assaulting an unarmed civilian in Muzaffarabad has escalated the PoK crisis to the international stage. With over 50 reportedly killed in four days and a long march now in its second month, the JAAC is formally petitioning the UN, OHCHR, and ICRC — marking a significant shift from domestic protest to a global human rights appeal.
Key Takeaways
The JAAC shared a video on X on 3 August purportedly showing Pakistani forces assaulting an unarmed civilian in Muzaffarabad, PoK .
The committee has formally called on the UN , OHCHR , Amnesty International , Human Rights Watch , and the ICRC to investigate and monitor the situation.
JAAC member Sardar Umar Nazir Kashmiri said more than 50 people have been killed and hundreds injured in the past four days; the actual toll is reportedly higher.
A long march that began on 9 June continues, with sit-ins at D-Chowk, Rawalakot and Dreak , the latter ongoing for 50 days .
Security forces reportedly carried out intermittent heavy firing in Rawalakot; no fatalities were confirmed there at the time of reporting.
The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) has released a video on social media platform X purportedly showing Pakistani security forces dragging and assaulting an unarmed civilian on a road in Muzaffarabad, the main city of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), as unrest in the region continues to intensify. The footage, shared on 3 August, has prompted the JAAC to call for urgent international scrutiny and an independent investigation.
Call for International Intervention
In its post on X, the JAAC formally urged the United Nations, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, international media, and diplomatic missions to examine the footage and independently verify the facts. The committee also called on the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to monitor the humanitarian situation on the ground.
The JAAC stated: 'We call on the United Nations, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, international media, and diplomatic missions to examine this footage, independently verify the facts, and press for an immediate, independent and impartial investigation into the reported events. We also urge the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to closely monitor the humanitarian situation and ensure that those who are injured and other civilians affected receive protection and humanitarian assistance in accordance with its mandate.'
Long March and Ongoing Protests
The protests are part of a long march that began on 9 June and has continued despite reported crackdowns. On Sunday, large crowds staged a sit-in at D-Chowk in Rawalakot, with demonstrators preparing to march toward Muzaffarabad. According to the JAAC, security forces carried out intermittent heavy firing in Rawalakot, though no fatalities were reported there at the time.
At Dreak, women and children maintained a protest sit-in that had already lasted 50 days, vowing to continue until their demands were met. Protesters were heard chanting, 'Aawaz do hum ek hai, Kashmir ke pahadon mein hum ek hai.' The JAAC posted on X: 'Despite weeks of arrests, killings, injuries, and intimidation, the people continue to march with determination. This movement belongs to the people. As long as those legitimate demands remain unmet, the voices of the people will continue to be heard.'
Reported Casualties and Crackdown
On Saturday, JAAC member Sardar Umar Nazir Kashmiri stated that more than 50 people had been killed and hundreds injured over the preceding four days in what he described as a brutal crackdown by Pakistani forces. He added that the actual death toll was anticipated to be significantly higher. These figures have not been independently verified.
This comes amid the JAAC also putting forward proposals aimed at promoting peace, stability, and dialogue — a decision the group said was taken despite what it described as security forces opening fire on peaceful civilians.
Background and What's Next
The protests in PoK are rooted in longstanding grievances over fundamental rights, economic conditions, and the implementation of commitments made by Pakistani authorities. The movement, now in its second month, represents one of the most sustained civil uprisings in the region in recent memory. With international human rights bodies now being formally petitioned, pressure on Islamabad is likely to mount in the days ahead, even as the situation on the ground remains volatile.
Point of View
OHCHR, and ICRC signals a strategic escalation — the movement is no longer content with domestic pressure and is now seeking to internationalise the crisis. With a reported death toll of over 50 in four days and a long march that has defied two months of crackdowns, the situation in PoK has crossed a threshold that Islamabad will find increasingly difficult to manage quietly. What is notable is the methodical documentation: video evidence, named international bodies, and a specific call for ICRC access suggest a movement that understands the grammar of global human rights advocacy. Whether that translates into tangible international pressure on Pakistan remains the central question.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the JAAC video from Muzaffarabad show?
The video, shared by the Joint Awami Action Committee on social media platform X, purportedly shows Pakistani security forces dragging and assaulting an unarmed civilian on a road in Muzaffarabad, the main city of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The authenticity of the footage has not been independently verified.
What has the JAAC demanded from international bodies?
The JAAC has called on the UN, the OHCHR, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, international media, and diplomatic missions to examine the footage and press for an immediate independent investigation. It has also urged the ICRC to monitor the humanitarian situation and ensure civilians receive protection and assistance.
How many people have reportedly been killed in the PoK crackdown?
JAAC member Sardar Umar Nazir Kashmiri stated on Saturday that more than 50 people had been killed and hundreds injured over four days of what he described as a crackdown by Pakistani forces. He added that the actual death toll was anticipated to be significantly higher. These figures have not been independently verified.
When did the PoK long march begin and what are the protesters demanding?
The long march began on 9 June and has continued for nearly two months despite reported arrests, killings, and intimidation. Protesters are demanding fundamental rights, justice, and the implementation of commitments made by Pakistani authorities.
What is the current situation in Rawalakot and Dreak?
In Rawalakot, large crowds staged a sit-in at D-Chowk on Sunday and were preparing to march toward Muzaffarabad, even as security forces reportedly carried out intermittent heavy firing. In Dreak, women and children have maintained a sit-in for 50 days, vowing to continue until their demands are addressed.
