PoK crisis: Atrocity fears mount as Pakistan intensifies disinformation
Synopsis
Pakistan has detained 1,500 PoK protesters, listed 150 activists under anti-terror law, and is reportedly framing demonstrators as terrorists to justify force — while blaming India for funding the unrest. With the JAAC issuing a 24-hour ultimatum and Indian intelligence warning of a potential worst-ever crackdown, the next few hours in PoK are critical.
Key Takeaways
Indian intelligence officials warn the next 24 hours are critical for Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as the standoff intensifies.
Pakistani security forces have reportedly detained at least 1,500 peaceful protesters over the past two weeks.
150 activists have been added to the Anti-Terror Fourth Schedule by the Pakistan government.
The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) has demanded withdrawal of Rangers from PoK within 24 hours .
Pakistan establishment-linked social media handles are spreading a false narrative that protesters have taken up arms, according to Indian officials.
The home of prominent activist Shaukat Nawaz was reportedly vandalised by security forces.
Tensions in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) have reached a critical juncture, with Indian intelligence officials warning on 24 June that the next 24 hours could prove decisive for residents caught between an unyielding protest movement and a crackdown by the Pakistan establishment. Security forces have reportedly killed an unknown number of people and detained at least 1,500 peaceful protesters over the past two weeks, according to officials tracking the situation.
Escalating Crackdown on Ground
Officials say the situation in PoK is extremely tense, with reports of major atrocities and security agency brutality emerging from the region. Homes of protesters — including that of prominent activist Shaukat Nawaz, who is leading the demonstrations — have reportedly been vandalised by security forces.
In a significant escalation, the Pakistan government has added 150 activists to the Anti-Terror Fourth Schedule, a legal mechanism that severely restricts the movement and rights of those listed. Officials warn that Islamabad is no longer treating the unrest as a civil protest but is instead framing demonstrators as terrorists — a characterisation that, critics argue, is being used to justify the use of lethal force.
JAAC Issues 24-Hour Ultimatum
The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which is spearheading the protests, has issued a firm ultimatum demanding that the Pakistan establishment withdraw Rangers from PoK within 24 hours. The JAAC has stated that Pakistan has no right to increase military presence in the region.
An Intelligence Bureau official noted that both sides are showing no signs of backing down. While the establishment has made an offer for talks, protesters have reportedly refused, citing a belief that the establishment is not acting in good faith and would not honour any commitments made at the negotiating table.
Pakistan's Disinformation Campaign
Indian intelligence agencies have flagged a coordinated disinformation effort by establishment-linked social media handles, which are reportedly posting at the behest of the military. These accounts have been spreading a false narrative that protesters have taken up arms and fired at security forces — a claim officials say is not supported by ground reports.
Notably, the Pakistan establishment is also attempting to tell the international community that India is funding and instigating the PoK protesters, and that the region — described as 'very peaceful' in this framing — has been destabilised by external interference. Indian agencies have characterised this as a diversionary tactic designed to shift global attention away from the domestic crackdown.
Intelligence Warning: Worst May Be Ahead
Indian intelligence officials warn that with protesters growing more determined and the establishment showing no willingness to concede, there is a real risk of a brute use of force — potentially the most severe since the protests began. A massive build-up of forces in PoK has been observed, and reports of people being shot at have been confirmed by officials.
The coming hours will be closely watched by Indian agencies and international observers as the standoff between the JAAC and the Pakistan establishment approaches what could be a dangerous inflection point.
Point of View
Invoke emergency legal frameworks, and flood the information space with counter-narratives. Adding 150 activists to an anti-terror schedule is not a security measure — it is a silencing mechanism. The international community has consistently looked away from PoK's democratic deficits, and Pakistan is betting it will do so again. The JAAC's ultimatum raises the stakes, but without sustained external pressure, the asymmetry of force leaves protesters dangerously exposed.
NationPress
24 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is happening in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) right now?
PoK is witnessing a major protest movement met with a severe crackdown by Pakistani security forces. According to Indian officials, at least 1,500 peaceful protesters have been detained over the past two weeks, an unknown number of people have been killed, and 150 activists have been placed on an anti-terror list.
Who is leading the PoK protests and what are their demands?
The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) is leading the protests. The JAAC has demanded that the Pakistan establishment withdraw Rangers from PoK within 24 hours, asserting that Pakistan has no right to increase military presence in the region.
What is Pakistan's disinformation campaign about?
According to Indian intelligence officials, establishment-linked social media handles are spreading false claims that protesters have taken up arms and fired at security forces. The Pakistan establishment is also reportedly telling the international community that India is funding and instigating the unrest — a claim Indian agencies have described as a diversionary tactic.
What is the Anti-Terror Fourth Schedule and why does it matter?
The Anti-Terror Fourth Schedule is a Pakistani legal mechanism that places severe restrictions on the movement and activities of listed individuals. Adding 150 PoK activists to this list signals that Islamabad is formally treating protest leaders as terror suspects rather than civil demonstrators.
What are Indian intelligence agencies warning about?
Indian intelligence officials warn that the Pakistan establishment is likely to intensify its disinformation campaign in the coming days and that a brute use of force — potentially the worst since protests began — cannot be ruled out, given the massive build-up of security forces in PoK.
