Action by Pakistani security forces to clear protest sites in Rawalakot, Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), has been claimed.

Military action in PoJK

Pakistani security forces launched a crackdown in Rawalakot, a region that has been witnessing protests for the past four months in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). It is claimed that the Pakistani Rangers and Frontier Corps (FC), along with local police, launched an operation to clear the protest sites on Thursday morning. Firing and drone bombing were reported during the operation. Five people are reported to have been killed in the operation. With this, the death toll in the violence that has been ongoing since June 7th has risen to 151.

The operation began after Fajr prayers, with gunfire at the bus terminal.

According to reports, Pakistani security forces launched the operation at the Rawalakot bus terminal around 8 a.m. after Fajr prayers. More than 5,000 residents had been staging a sit-in protest since June 9th, demanding 38 demands against the Pakistani government. It is alleged that security forces resorted to indiscriminate firing during the evacuation of the protest site.

The firing was accompanied by claims of drone bombing. The house of a local man named Wasim Shakeel was severely damaged. Photos reportedly show the house on fire. This is the second reported incident of drone strikes by Pakistani security forces in PoJK.

A drone attack was also claimed in Bagh, killing six members of a family.

Earlier, on October 29th, the Pakistani army claimed a drone strike on a house in Bagh. It was reported that six members of the same family, including women and children, were killed in the attack.

There was intermittent firing at Umar Farooq Chowk as well.

Following the operation, security forces claim to have captured the Rawalakot bus terminal. Meanwhile, intermittent firing also occurred at Umar Farooq Chowk, where over 20,000 people have been protesting since July. Five people were reportedly killed in the operation, which lasted from 8 am to 10 am. This brings the total number of deaths in the ongoing firing incidents in PoJK since June 7th to 151.

The women refused to leave the protest site.

People present at the scene have reported gunfire and drone strikes by Pakistani security forces. Women present at Umar Farooq Chowk are also vowing to continue their protests. They say that no matter how much gunfire occurs, the protesters will not leave the Chowk. Meanwhile, mosques in Rawalkot are appealing to people to reach Umar Farooq Chowk. This is likely to further escalate tensions in the area.