Monitoring Desk
Islamabad: Conflicting reports have emerged following a security operation in Rawalakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), with unverified claims alleging significant casualties and widespread arrests after days of public protests.
According to claims circulating on social media and from independent sources, demonstrators had been holding peaceful protests for more than six weeks, demanding the abolition of the 12 reserved refugee seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly, an end to alleged political engineering, and greater political autonomy in local governance.
The reports further allege that security forces launched a large-scale operation against protesters, resulting in numerous casualties and arrests.
According to Aljazeera at least 20 people were killed and hundreds injured, while other independent sources have alleged that the death toll reached 64 on Tuesday. These casualty figures have not been independently verified.
The developments have also attracted international media attention. According to the reports, Al Jazeera Kamal Haider covered the protests and the security situation, highlighting the demonstrators’ demands and the allegations surrounding the security operation.
As of now, there has been no independent confirmation of the reported casualty figures, and official authorities have not publicly verified the claims. The situation remains fluid, with conflicting accounts continuing to emerge from the area.
