PAKISTAN-ADMINISTERED KASHMIR — Leaders of the Joint Awami Action Committee stated that more than 30 people were killed in clashes with security forces around Rawalakot following a protest march on July 27, 2026. The violence occurred during a broader electoral process in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, where the PML-N won nine out of 13 seats in the districts of Mirpur, Kotli, and Bhimber on Monday.

The Jammu and Kashmir Human Rights Observatory (JKHRO) released a July 28, 2026, report detailing 31 new deaths, providing an independent dataset on civilian casualties in the region. According to the JKHRO, these fatalities were documented during the security operation on July 27-28, 2026, raising the total civilian death toll to 75 since June 5, 2026. This figure stands in contrast to earlier reports from before the July 27 violence, when 40 people had been killed in clashes with security forces during JAAC protests since June 2026, including 34 protesters and six police or paramilitary personnel.

JAAC committee member Sardar Umar Nazir stated in a video that 20 supporters were killed during a march on Monday. "Our demand was peaceful, it was peaceful, we tried to keep it non-violent and bullets were fired at it," Nazir said. He further reported that at least 10 other protesters were killed the day after the march in towns including Rawalakot and Mirpur. The Joint Awami Action Committee claimed that the number of people killed between June 5 and July 28 had risen to 67.

Authorities stated that one member of security personnel was killed and five were injured in clashes on Monday. An anonymous official stated they were aware of at least three fatalities among protesters in Mirpur during the week. Pakistani officials alleged that armed and India-backed militants joined the Kashmiri protesters, an accusation India has rejected in the past. PureSource News previously reported that Pakistani forces killed 29 militants along the border.

The Joint Awami Action Committee was banned by the regional government in June under anti-terrorism laws. The social organisation in Azad Kashmir was founded in 2023 and focused on calls for electoral reform. Since the ban, banking, roads, and internet services have been largely disrupted in the region. Supporters of greater regional autonomy have accused the national government in Islamabad of interference in political affairs and economic neglect.

Amnesty International called the ban on the JAAC unlawful and described reports of lethal force against protesters as disturbing, urging an investigation. Isabelle Lassee, acting regional director for South Asia at Amnesty International, urged Pakistani authorities to restore communications access and allow media and independent observers into the area. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) called for a prompt, impartial and independent investigation into the reports of deaths and injuries in Rawalakot.

The election was split into three separate votes by district, with officials citing security concerns. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party boycotted the vote due to concerns over electoral fraud, while parties accused each other of ballot box stealing and vote rigging. The second and third rounds of voting are scheduled for August 2 and August 10.

Twelve of the 45 directly elected seats in the local legislative assembly are reserved for constituencies representing refugees from Indian-administered Kashmir. The JAAC has accused Islamabad of using these reserved seats to manipulate local politics, an accusation Pakistani government officials have rejected.

National Conference President Farooq Abdullah urged the United Nations Human Rights Commission to visit Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir to assess the difficulties being faced by people in the region. In 2022, demonstrators rallied against high electricity prices in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. JAAC previously claimed 400 deaths during a security operation in June 2026, but Pakistani authorities recorded only five fatalities, showing a significant discrepancy between activist claims and official reports.

The discrepancies in casualty figures between activist groups, independent monitors, and authorities highlight the challenges in verifying events during communication blackouts and restricted access. The JKHRO report provides a verifiable dataset that contrasts with both the lower official counts and the higher claims made by the JAAC, which previously asserted 400 deaths in June. This lack of consensus on basic facts complicates accountability and independent assessment of the security forces' conduct.

The violence occurs as the region undergoes a fragmented electoral process, with the PML-N securing initial victories but facing boycotts and allegations of fraud. Pear Pandya, a senior analyst at ACLED, stated that the violence is bound to overshadow the legitimacy of the electoral exercise. Political analyst Hasan Askari noted that the PML-N would likely need the support of some of the 12 reserved seat representatives to form a regional government.

"But when their government is dependent on those 12 controversial seats, how would it be able to find a solution for this issue?" Askari said. The ongoing unrest and the ban on the JAAC, which advocates for electoral reform, raise questions about the stability of the upcoming voting rounds scheduled for August 2 and August 10.