Teenagers as young as 15 have been among those killed or seriously injured in a sweeping crackdown on protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), according to a report by the BBC based on the accounts of residents, doctors and families from the protest hub of Rawalakot. The demonstrations in Rawalakot by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) have turned deadly amid an ongoing security operation.
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The report said that dozens of people have been killed across the region over the past two months in clashes between security forces and protesters. The demonstrations comes as local elections are underway in the region.
'Most victims were 15 to 35'
A doctor identified as Dr Anwar said that he had treated 50 to 60 critically injured patients since July 27, including 15 to 20 people with gunshot wounds.
"Most of those who have been killed or seriously injured are young people between about 15-16 years old and 32-35 years old. I have seen very few patients over the age of 40," BBC quoted the doctor saying.
According to the report, many injured protesters have avoided government hospitals fearing arrest or being shot, a claim denied by the authorities.
Families of those killed described the protests as a movement for basic rights, including affordable electricity, flour, education and healthcare.
"We only asked for affordable flour, electricity and our basic rights," Ali, whose friend Shafqat Hussain was fatally shot, told the BBC. "Instead, our brothers are being killed. What was our crime? Why are live bullets being fired at us?"
'We are not terrorists'
Asma, whose only son was killed, said: "We were only asking for our rights. We are not terrorists." She added, "He knew there were risks, but he believed standing up for justice was important. He used to say that dying for a just cause was an honour."
Another resident, Salman, whose younger brother died during the protests, told the BBC: "He was the youngest in the family and was loved by everyone... I feel proud that he gave his life while standing up for the rights of the people. He was not fighting or attacking anyone."
The JAAC says the protests stem from the government's failure to implement an agreement signed in October that promised relief on electricity prices and other public welfare issues.
The group, which was banned in June and designated by authorities as a foreign-funded terrorist organisation, denies the allegation, insisting it is a peaceful movement funded by the PoK diaspora.
The Pakistan-occupied Kashmir government has rejected allegations that security forces fired indiscriminately at peaceful protesters. It said law enforcement acted only against individuals involved in attacks on security personnel, threats to public safety or obstruction of lawful authority.
