SA Khan Accuses Pakistani Security Forces of Removing Evidence of Civilian Deaths During Kashmir Protests
SA Khan, a spokesperson for the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), accused Pakistani security agencies of firing on unarmed protesters in Mirpur and subsequently removing the evidence of the deaths. The protests, which began in June, have been characterized by a state crackdown and a severe communication blackout that has hindered independent verification of the events. While the JAAC claims that security forces abducted the dead bodies to erase the evidence, Pakistani authorities have rejected these accusations, alleging that the protests are receiving funds and instructions from India. Government officials, including Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, stated that the sit-in protest has transitioned from a peaceful demonstration to a militant-led action. The administration alleged that members of the Pakistani Taliban infiltrated the protests, using civilians as shields and employing sophisticated weapons against security forces. In response, the regional government banned the JAAC and arrested dozens of its followers to restore order. The protests center on demands for electoral reform and the abolition of reserved seats for refugees, which locals argue give outsiders disproportionate influence over the regional politics.