The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) on Tuesday, 4 August alleged that Pakistani security forces opened live fire and deployed tear gas against unarmed civilians in Bagh district of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), as a widening crackdown on protesters drew sharp international condemnation. The allegations mark a fresh escalation in a crisis that has, according to reports, claimed over 50 lives and left hundreds injured across the occupied territory in recent days.

Key Allegations by JAAC

The JAAC, a civil society coalition at the forefront of the PoK protest movement, alleged that security personnel also set fire to civilians' motorcycles in the Makri region of Muzaffarabad district. The group shared video footage on social media platform X, stating: '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.'

In a separate post, JAAC said: '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.'

Amnesty International Demands Independent Probe

Amnesty International called on Pakistani authorities to order a prompt, independent, and transparent investigation into the security forces' conduct against protesters in PoK. The rights body said the reports emerging from Rawalakot reflect what it described as a longstanding pattern of 'unlawful violence' against demonstrators in the region.

Amnesty International posted on X: 'A prompt, independent, and transparent investigation must be ordered into the security forces' use of force against protesters. So long as an internet and mobile services blackout remains in place, it will severely impede the independent verification of the full extent of the situation on the ground.'

International Bodies Urged to Intervene

The JAAC has formally urged the United Nations, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), international media outlets, and global human rights organisations to closely monitor the deteriorating ground situation. The committee has pressed for an immediate and independent investigation and demanded accountability for any unlawful use of force by security personnel.

Notably, an ongoing internet and mobile services blackout in parts of PoK has made independent verification of the full scale of the violence significantly harder, according to Amnesty International.

Broader Context of the PoK Unrest

The current wave of protests in PoK has been building over grievances including economic hardship, electricity tariff hikes, and demands for greater autonomy. The JAAC has been a leading organiser of the demonstrations. This is not the first time Pakistani forces have been accused of using disproportionate force against protesters in the region — rights groups have documented similar patterns in past episodes of civil unrest there.

With the death toll reportedly crossing 50 and international scrutiny intensifying, the coming days will test whether Islamabad responds to calls for accountability or doubles down on the security response.