Nine Killed in Pakistan-Administered Kashmir Clashes

By Tariq Maqbool

July 14, 2026

People chant slogans as they walk during a protest and shutter-down strike called by the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), an alliance of civil society groups, in Neelum Valley, Pakistani Kashmir, June 21, 2026. Picture taken with a mobile phone. Credit: Reuters, Naseer ud Din

MUZAFFARABAD, July 14 (Reuters) - Clashes between security forces and supporters ​of a banned protest group in Pakistan-administered Kashmir ​killed nine people on Tuesday, officials said, a ⁠day before the group planned a march against ​controversial electoral arrangements ahead of regional elections later this ​month.

The violence stems from a dispute over 12 seats reserved in the regional assembly for refugees who live elsewhere in Pakistan, ​a system protesters say dilutes local representation.

Poonch Divisional ​Commissioner Waheed Khan said protesters blocked a security convoy and attacked ‌officials ⁠in the Poonch sector.

"Police and security officials responded in self-defence," Khan told Reuters.

Six protesters and one police officer were killed in Tararkhal, while a protester and ​a security official ​died in ⁠a separate clash in Rawalakot, he said.

The Joint Action Committee (JAAC), banned in June ​under anti-terror laws, has called for a ​march on ⁠Rawalakot on Wednesday. Khan said security forces were prepared to prevent marchers from entering the city.

Around 30 people ⁠have ​been killed in the unrest ​since June, according to local estimates.

Reporting by Tariq Maqbool in Muzaffarabad, writing ​by Mubasher Bukhari in Lahore; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani

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