Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir erupts in violent protests, 12 civilians killed in army crackdown
Muzaffarabad: At least 12 civilians were killed and over 200 injured as Pakistani security forces opened fire on protesters in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK), marking one of the region’s most intense uprisings in recent years.
The unrest, now in its third day, has spread across Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Neelum Valley, Kotli, and Dadyal, where demonstrators clashed with the army. Reports said five protesters were killed in Muzaffarabad, five in Dheerkot, and two in Dadyal. Three policemen also lost their lives.
The agitation, led by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (AAC), began on September 29 over the government’s failure to meet 38 demands. Key demands include scrapping 12 assembly seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees living in Pakistan, tax relief, flour and electricity subsidies, and completion of pending development projects.
Markets and businesses remain shut, while internet, mobile, and landline services have been suspended. Visuals circulating on social media show thousands of protesters toppling barricades and raising slogans such as “Kashmir is ours, we will decide its fate”, in a rare direct challenge to Pakistan’s military establishment.
In response, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, currently in London, announced the formation of a negotiation panel and appealed for peace, urging security forces to show restraint.
Meanwhile, United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP) spokesperson Nasir Aziz Khan appealed to the United Nations for urgent intervention, warning of a potential humanitarian crisis.
This escalation comes days after 30 civilians were killed in airstrikes by the Pakistan Air Force in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, further heightening tensions in the region.
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4 workers die after being buried under coal slurry in Jharkhand's Dhanbad
Dhanbad (Jharkhand) (PTI): At least four workers died after being buried under coal slurry in Jharkhand's Dhanbad district on Saturday, a police official said.
The incident took place at Moonidih coal washery in the command area of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL).
"Bodies of all four workers were dug out of debris during a rescue operation," Putki police station in-charge Waqar Hussain told PTI.
The incident took place when coal slurry was being loaded into trucks by workers, during which a large chunk of slurry fell and trapped several workers underneath, officials said.
The deceased have been identified as Manik Bauri, Dinesh Bauri, Deepak Bauri, and Hemlal Gope.
Meanwhile, the family members of the deceased and local villagers placed the bodies in front of the washery gate and began a protest.
They demanded compensation, jobs for dependents and action against those responsible for the incident.
Police and administration officials are trying to pacify the protesters, an official said.
