New Delhi

Pakistani forces have opened fire on protesters marching from Rawalakote to capital Muzaffarabad on the 52nd day of agitation for their basic rights. Many people are believed to have been killed and injured, leading to intensification of the agitation.

Pakistan has deployed about 2100 army personnel, supported by several layers of police and security personnel during the Legislative Assembly elections currently underway.

According to Dawn, the police comprise the first layer of security, Pakistan Rangers (Punjab), Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) and the Federal Constabulary, the second, and the Pakistan Army, the third.

The Pakistani daily noted that around 2,100 army personnel will also be deployed, while Quick Response Force teams will remain on standby to respond to any emergency.

It further noted that 18,560 personnel from police and other law enforcement agencies have been deployed under a three-tier security plan.
Meanwhile, the Joint Awami Action Committee in a series of posts on X highlighted serious lapses within hours of the first round of voting.
It said that signs of rigging and facilitation have started to become evident in Mirpur Division even before the elections.

Social media posts – which are hard to come by due to the suspension of internet in the Pakistan occupied Kashmir – say the figures of the dead is somewhere between 5- 15, while many people, including women are injured.

People in large numbers gathered in Rawalakot to march towards Muzaffarabad after talks between the Joint Awami Action Committee and the authorities failed. The 52-day protest movement continues, with demonstrators demanding the release of detainees, withdrawal of cases against protesters, and acceptance of their broader demands.

#WATCH | PoJK | People in large numbers gathered in Rawalakot to march towards Muzaffarabad after talks between the Joint Awami Action Committee and the authorities failed. The 52-day protest movement continues, with demonstrators demanding the release of detainees, withdrawal of… pic.twitter.com/jaNk2kkFLD

— ANI (@ANI) July 27, 2026

The Pakistani government has postponed election to the PoJK Legislative Assembly following the breakdown of negotiations and let a rein of repression out.

A protesters said that he escape the firing after seeing so many dead and injured lay on the road:

POJK resident says that the streets of Rawlakot is filled with dead and injured as Pakistan army soldiers opened indiscriminate firing on peaceful protestors. pic.twitter.com/5E9zFdG6Eh

— Raja Muneeb (@RajaMuneeb) July 27, 2026

Residents are boycotting elections and there are allegations of sham voting by the cops posted on duty by ISLAMABAD

Polling stations in PoJK’s Kotli remain empty as residents boycott the sham elections in the disputed region. pic.twitter.com/CGfV3FYIqS

— Sonam Mahajan (@AsYouNotWish) July 27, 2026