A series of ongoing demonstrations, strikes and clashes in Pakistan-administered Azad Kashmir began on 7 June 2026. The protests are primarily organized by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC), which presented a 38-point charter of demands to the Government of Azad Kashmir, including its opposition of reservation of 12 seats in the Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly for refugees from Jammu and Kashmir residing elsewhere in Pakistan. The group argues that the arrangement allows non-residents to influence the political affairs of Azad Kashmir. Multiple JKJAAC members and policemen have been killed and injured in the unrest.
The protests intensified following a ruling by the Supreme Court of Azad Kashmir on 7 June 2026, which held that the refugee seats are constitutionally protected and cannot be abolished without a constitutional amendment. Demonstrations subsequently spread across Rawalakot, Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, Kotli, Bagh and other areas.
The second phase of protests started on 27 July 2026, during the first phase of the Azad Kashmir general election. The JKJAAC boycotted the election and led a long march from Rawalakot to Muzaffarabad. Violence during the protests resulted in death of over 50 protestors, including JKJAAC's leader Sardar Umar Nazir's brother Sardar Usman Nazir.
Background
The Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC or JAAC) emerged as a coalition of civil society groups, traders and activists advocating economic and political reforms in Azad Kashmir, 2023 onwards. Several protests were held addressing economic and political grievances of the locals. In May 2023, residents began protesting rising electricity tariffs alongside allegations of flour smuggling and shortages of subsidised wheat. The JAAC-led movement escalated in May 2024, when protesters undertook a long march towards Muzaffarabad, leading to violent clashes that resulted in at least five deaths.
During the protests in September–October 2025, the JAAC issued a 38-point charter of demands and called for a lockdown, after which the government imposed a communications blackout. In the negotiations that followed, the government has reportedly agreed to 35 of the 38 demands, saying that the remaining demands are either "not feasible or have court orders". In 2026, the movement focused mostly on the 12 seats reserved in the Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly for refugees from Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir living in Pakistan. JAAC leaders argued that the seats provide political influence to individuals who do not reside in Azad Kashmir and affect the political representation of local residents.
In May 2026, talks between a federal ministerial team and the JAAC leadership broke down with the latter finally calling for protests. Subsequently, on 5 June 2026, the local government proscribed the Committee under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2014 and banned it.
Demand for abolition of the 12 refugee seats One of the principal demands of the JAAC during the protests was the abolition of the 12 seats reserved in the Legislative Assembly for Kashmiri refugees and their descendants residing in Pakistan. Protest organizers argued that political representation in Azad Kashmir should be limited to residents of the territory and maintained that the reserved seats allowed non-residents to influence its political affairs. Arguments in favor of its maintenance state that it provides representation to displaced Kashmiris and is an integral part of the constitutional framework of Azad Kashmir.
Supreme Court ruling On 7 June 2026, the Supreme Court of Azad Kashmir ruled that the twelve refugee seats are constitutionally protected and cannot be abolished without a constitutional amendment. The court further stated that elections to the Legislative Assembly should proceed within the constitutional framework.
The decision strengthened the government's position ahead of the legislative elections scheduled for 27 July 2026 but was rejected by the JAAC, which announced "a long march toward Muzaffarabad" on 15 July and promises of new demands if the current ones are not met.
Election schedule Polling for the Legislative Assembly was scheduled in three phases. The first phase on 27 July was to be held in the Mirpur Division. The second phase on 2 August was to be held in the Muzaffarabad Division and for the refugee seats in Pakistan. The third phase on 10 August was to be held in the Poonch Division.
Protests Following the Supreme Court's decision upholding the constitutional status of the twelve legislative seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees residing in Pakistan, demonstrations intensified across Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). The protests were primarily organized by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC or JAAC), which opposed the continuation of the refugee seats and demanded greater political representation and constitutional rights for residents of the territory.
Public rallies, road blockades, sit-ins and shutter-down strikes were reported in Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Mirpur, Kotli and several other towns. By mid-July, the protests had spread widely, with long marches and strikes continuing despite government crackdowns. Protest leaders argued that the refugee seats granted disproportionate political influence to individuals residing outside Azad Kashmir and called for constitutional reforms to expand local political participation. By official estimates, a least 10,000 protestors had gathered outside the city of Rawalakot.
In late July, during the elections in the Mirpur division, thousands undertook a march towards the regional capital Muzaffarabad. According to a JAAC member, five protesters were killed in the march towards the city.
Events of 5–7 June
After the ban of JAAC on 5th June under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2014, before any provocation, later that night in a raid to arrest Sardar Umar Nazir when he was returning from a gathering from Khaigala to Rawalakot, Sardar Umar Nazir's close friend Shahzaib Habib was shot dead and Sardar Umar Nazir survived a bullet that injured his left ear. Although he managed to run away. Amid the internet shutdown in the region, false rumors spread of Sardar Umar Nazir's death. Protestors went to the local hospital CMH Rawalakot to confirm where they found to a Shahzaib Habib 's dead body which lead to a massive protest from 5 June to 7 June. An FIR was filed against Shahzaib Habib declaring him a terrorist which enraged protestors.
Amid an internet shutdown across parts of Azad Kashmir, rumors circulated that Umar Nazir had been killed. Supporters gathered at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Rawalakot, where Habib's body had been taken. Protests subsequently grew around the hospital and continued over the following days. Protesters also objected to the filing against Habib in connection with terrorism-related allegations.
On 7 June, clashes between protesters and security forces intensified in Rawalakot. According to BBC reporting, at least 15 people were killed, including protesters and police personnel, while more than 100 people were injured during the unrest.
Clashes and casualties On 8 June 2026, clashes erupted between protesters and security forces in Rawalakot and surrounding areas (in Poonch Division). According to regional authorities and media, between 11 and 15 people were killed and more than 70 were injured during the unrest, including protesters and security personnel. Official figures also gave casualties at 7 people killed in Kotli and 1 killed in Mirpur. Authorities stated that some demonstrators attacked security personnel and government property, while protest organizers accused the authorities of using excessive force against largely peaceful demonstrators. JAAC leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir described the events in Rawalakot as a "massacre" and vowed to continue the protest movement despite the crackdown.
On 9 June 2026, supporters of the JKJAAC from Mirpur, Bhimber and Kotli began a march toward Rawalakot with the declared intention of later proceeding to Muzaffarabad. Protest organizers stated that participants halted outside Rawalakot at Draik on instructions from JKJAAC leadership in order to avoid direct confrontation with security forces. A large sit-in was subsequently established at Draik, while additional protest camps were organized at Mutiyalmera Bus Terminal, Mujahidabad and Paniola.
On 9 June, Mohammad Akhtar, a British national and a resident of Peterborough, was killed during his stay in Kotli when he was struck by a stray bullet when Pakistani forces opened fire at a gathering of protesters.
The sit-ins continued through much of June and July 2026 and became the main centers of protest activity in the region. Organizers repeatedly announced deadlines for further marches while simultaneously expressing willingness to negotiate with authorities.
On 29 June, a delegation of Pakistani opposition politicians led by National Assembly opposition leader Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Senate opposition leader Raja Nasir Abbas attempted to travel to Rawalakot to express solidarity with protesters and facilitate dialogue. According to media reports, police and security personnel prevented the delegation from entering the region, after which the leaders staged a brief protest before returning to Islamabad.
On 9 July, during morning hours, Pakistan Rangers raided homes in the village of Gehl Topi. A crowd had reportedly gathered to witness the raids when the force opened fire at the crowd.
On 13 July, protesters organized rallies involving students, women and children at multiple sit-in sites. Organizers stated that the events were intended to demonstrate the civilian nature of the protest movement.
On 14 July, at least 9 people were killed in clashes all over AJK: a police raid on a house near Rawalakot turned deadly when officers came under fire, killing one officer; In a separate clash in Sudhnoti district 7 protesters and a police officer were killed.
Around 24 July, Naqash Zardad, an education department employee was killed by a stray bullet when clashes erupted between police and protestors close to his farm.
On 27 July, according to JAAC, when the protesters were attempting to enter Rawalakot, the police and the state resorted to "indiscriminate... lethal force." The committee estimated that at least 9 people were killed and 15 injured. Sardar Usman Nazir, the brother of JAAC leader Sardar Umar Nazir, was among the dead. By 28 July, at least 30 people were killed: 25 people on 27 July and five more the following day. The organisation alleged that Pakistani security forces opened fire on "tens of thousands of peaceful protesters." Its spokesperson accused Pakistan's security forces of opening fire on unarmed protesters in Mirpur on 28 July before removing bodies and sealing the hospital to conceal evidence. "We have photos and videos showing bodies lying in pools of blood, but security forces took them away to erase the evidence," he alleged. Bodies of protesters reportedly disappeared from a hospital.
By the beginning of polling in the Mirpur Division, at least 40 people had been killed in the demonstrations including 34 protesters. However, Harris Qadeer, editor of the local newspaper Roznama Jeddojehad, told Drop Site News that he had documented 89 deaths in Rawalakot and Mirpur as of 28 July by collecting first-hand accounts of funerals, burials, and death records maintained by a civil society group.
On 3 August, a doctor with a makeshift clinic in Rawalakot told BBC that the clinic alone had treated around 50 to 60 critically injured patients since 27 July. He also claimed to have personally treated more than 15 victims with gunshot wounds. Most of those who have been killed or seriously injured were reportedly young people between 15-16 years of age and 32-35 years.