6 days ago
Massive Strike Paralyses Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir
A large protest has disrupted daily life across Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Many shops, markets, and businesses are closed.
Buses and other public transport have stopped in several areas.
Big roads are mostly empty.
Thousands of people are sitting together in a protest in Rawalakot.
Protesters say they are angry about repression, deaths, a long internet shutdown, and restrictions on the media.
Sardar Umar Nazir Kashmiri said the protest should remain peaceful.
He also said anyone choosing to use weapons would be acting on their own, not for the protest group.
A strike has closed businesses, markets, and commercial hubs across Bhimber, Mirpur, Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley, and Rawalakot.
Public transport is suspended and major roads are largely deserted across the region.
Thousands of people are taking part in a sit-in in Rawalakot, the movement’s main center of activity.
Protesters cite state repression, fatal violence, a three-month internet shutdown, and a media blackout.
Leader Sardar Umar Nazir Kashmiri said the Awami Action Committee’s movement is strictly non-violent and separate from armed resistance.
- Who
- The Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee, protesters, and leader Sardar Umar Nazir Kashmiri.
- What
- A region-wide strike and sit-in protest have disrupted businesses, transport, and public life.
- Where
- Across Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, including Bhimber, Mirpur, Muzaffarabad, Neelum Valley, and Rawalakot.
- When
- The report was published and updated on September 10, 2026; the internet shutdown is described as lasting three months.
- Why
- Protesters are opposing state repression, fatal violence, the internet shutdown, and the media blackout; the committee has also previously raised demands involving prices, electricity tariffs, wheat subsidies, governance, and hydropower royalties.
Protesters’ position
Security and establishment context
Nature of the movement
Protesters’ position
The Awami Action Committee says its agitation is peaceful and rejects armed resistance and outside provocations.
Security and establishment context
The article reports that any person taking up arms would be acting in a personal capacity, not on behalf of the Awami Action Committee; it does not provide a direct establishment response.
Use of force
Protesters’ position
The committee alleges that Pakistani security forces used excessive force during peaceful marches, causing deaths and injuries.
Security and establishment context
The report does not include a response from Pakistani security forces to those allegations.
Key facts
- Main protest group
- Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee
- Movement center
- Rawalakot
- Businesses affected
- Commercial hubs, markets, and business establishments are closed across key districts.
- Transport situation
- Public transport is suspended and arterial roads are largely deserted.
- Internet shutdown
- Protesters cite a three-month internet shutdown across the region.
- Media restrictions
- Protesters also cite a strict media blackout.
- Stated protest position
- Sardar Umar Nazir Kashmiri described the agitation as strictly non-violent.
Sources
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