Islamabad: Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has triggered widespread criticism after describing protesters in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) as “enemies like India” while defending the government’s security response to the ongoing unrest in the region.
His remarks came as tensions escalated in Rawalakot and other parts of PoK, where reports claim that Pakistani security forces have used lethal force against demonstrators. According to protest groups, at least 32 people have been killed over the past two days, adding to a rising death toll since the unrest began in early June.
A video widely circulated on social media shows Asif saying that he considers the protesters in “Azad Kashmir” to be no different from India’s adversaries, a statement that has further intensified public anger over the government’s handling of the demonstrations.
The protests have been driven by allegations of human rights abuses and demands for greater political and civil rights. Demonstrators have continued to gather despite heavy security deployment across several towns.
Multiple videos shared online, which could not be independently verified, appear to show security personnel firing at civilians in Mirpur and other locations. The footage also shows injured people, bodies lying on roads and damaged motorcycles, highlighting the severity of the clashes.
"I put the protesters of PojK in the same category as India and consider them as enemies": Pak Def Min Khawaja Asif pic.twitter.com/YS9NzhW9Jf
— OsintTV 📺 (@OsintTV) July 28, 2026
Several of those reportedly killed were linked to the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), a group that has been vocal in criticising Islamabad’s policies in the region and has since been declared a banned organisation by Pakistani authorities. Among those reported dead was Usman Nazir, the younger brother of JAAC founding member Umar Nazir.
Through a series of posts on social media platform X, the JAAC accused Pakistani forces of opening fire on peaceful demonstrators in Rawalakot and Mirpur. The organisation alleged that security personnel targeted unarmed civilians and claimed that additional casualties occurred as protests spread across different areas.
The group also criticised sections of the Pakistani media for portraying protesters as aggressors. JAAC maintained that its members were demonstrating in their own towns and rejected claims that they had attempted to seize control of Rawalakot by force. It argued that the region belongs to its residents and accused authorities of using excessive force to suppress dissent.
According to protest groups, more than 90 people have lost their lives since June 5 during the ongoing unrest in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. However, Pakistani authorities have not officially confirmed these casualty figures.
The latest violence has drawn renewed attention to the security situation and allegations of human rights violations in the disputed region, with calls growing for an independent assessment of the events and protection of civilians.
