PoK civilian killings: International community urged to act on Pakistan crackdown
Synopsis
Over 40 civilians have reportedly been killed in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir between July 27 and 28 alone, with more than 100 deaths alleged since June 5. As Pakistani authorities impose communication blackouts and carry out mass arrests, rights groups are demanding the UN and EU move beyond condemnation to concrete accountability — and residents are reportedly expressing a desire to join India.
Key Takeaways
Over 40 civilians reportedly killed in PoK between 27 and 28 July in Rawalakot , Mirpur , and surrounding areas.
The UKPNP alleges more than 100 people killed since 5 June , hundreds critically injured, and hundreds subjected to enforced disappearance.
Pakistani authorities have reportedly imposed a communication blackout , restricted public assembly, and carried out mass arrests in PoK.
Writer Parimoksh Seth in Rising Kashmir called on the UN to ensure Pakistan stops civilian brutalities and allows residents to determine their own future.
The UKPNP has urged the UN , EU , and international community to protect civilians and support impartial investigations.
Thousands in PoK have reportedly expressed a desire to join India , citing development in Jammu and Kashmir .
A detailed report has called on the international community to urgently address the ongoing crackdown by Pakistani authorities in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), where over 40 civilians have reportedly been killed and hundreds injured or arbitrarily detained amid escalating unrest. The report, published on 30 July, documents decades of what it describes as unauthorised and illegal occupation, with suffering concealed through censorship, intimidation, and political repression.
Scale of the Crackdown
According to the United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP), approximately 40 civilians were killed and several others injured or arbitrarily arrested between 27 and 28 July in Rawalakot, Mirpur, and other areas of the occupied territory. The group further alleged that more than 100 people have been killed since 5 June, several hundred critically injured, and hundreds reportedly subjected to enforced disappearance by Pakistani security forces.
The UKPNP condemned what it called the 'use of excessive or unlawful force against peaceful civilians,' stating that such actions 'would constitute serious violations of international human rights law and may amount to crimes under international law.'
Restrictions and Communication Blackout
Rather than engaging with the legitimate grievances of PoK residents — who have repeatedly held protests demanding basic rights, economic justice, transparent governance, and accountability — Pakistani authorities have, according to the report, imposed restrictions on public assembly, enforced a communication blackout, and carried out mass arrests. The crackdown has drawn sharp criticism from rights groups monitoring the region.
An opinion piece in Rising Kashmir by writer Parimoksh Seth argued that 'international human rights institutions, including the UN, not only condemn the illegalities happening in PoJK but also ensure that Pakistan stops all types of brutalities.' Seth added that 'the people of PoJK deserve justice, dignity, the opportunity to live in peace and freedom to decide which country they want to be part of,' while asserting that the United Nations 'has failed to act and has just become a puppet organisation.'
Calls for Impartial Investigation
The report stressed that an impartial investigation must be conducted into allegations of killings, arbitrary detention, suppression of protests, and violence against civilians. It argued that those responsible for human rights violations must be held accountable and that sustainable peace can only emerge through respect for democratic values, human dignity, and the rule of law — not force or intimidation.
The UKPNP specifically called on the UN, the European Union, and the broader international community to take immediate steps to protect civilians, support independent investigations, and encourage adherence to international human rights obligations.
Desire to Join India, Citing J&K Development
The report noted that thousands in PoK have expressed a desire to become part of India, citing the development trajectory of Jammu and Kashmir under the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This sentiment, according to the report, has been one of the drivers behind the sustained unrest and protest movements in the region.
With the international spotlight now on PoK, pressure is mounting on multilateral bodies to move beyond statements and initiate concrete accountability measures.
Point of View
According to the UKPNP — has received little traction in international diplomatic forums, exposing a familiar gap between human rights rhetoric and institutional action. The UN's silence on PoK stands in sharp contrast to its responsiveness on comparable crises elsewhere, a contradiction that rights groups have long flagged but multilateral bodies have yet to address. Pakistan's communication blackout further complicates independent verification, which is precisely why the demand for impartial investigation is both urgent and structurally difficult. Without external pressure that goes beyond statements, accountability in PoK will remain aspirational.
NationPress
30 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is happening in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) right now?
Pakistani security forces have been conducting a crackdown in PoK, during which over 40 civilians were reportedly killed between July 27 and 28 in Rawalakot, Mirpur, and other areas. The UKPNP alleges more than 100 people have been killed since June 5, with hundreds injured and subjected to enforced disappearance.
Who is the UKPNP and what have they said?
The United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP) is a political group representing the interests of people in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. It has alleged mass civilian casualties, arbitrary arrests, and enforced disappearances by Pakistani forces, and has called on the UN and EU to intervene and support independent investigations.
Why are people in PoK protesting?
Residents of PoK have been holding sustained protests demanding basic rights, economic justice, transparent governance, and accountability from Pakistani authorities. Instead of addressing these grievances, Pakistani authorities have reportedly imposed communication blackouts and restrictions on public assembly.
What action has the international community taken?
As of the report dated July 30, the international community has not taken concrete action. Rights groups and commentators have called on the UN, EU, and other multilateral bodies to move beyond condemnation, conduct impartial investigations, and hold those responsible for human rights violations accountable.
What has been demanded in the Rising Kashmir opinion piece?
Writer Parimoksh Seth, in an opinion piece in Rising Kashmir, called on international human rights institutions including the UN to ensure Pakistan halts all brutalities in PoK and to guarantee residents the freedom to determine which country they wish to be part of.
