The people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir deserve justice, security, and the freedom to voice their demands without fear of violence or retribution. Three days have passed, and Sonam Wangchuk remains missing.

On September 29, 2025, hundreds of thousands of people across every town and city in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) took to the streets in response to the call of the Jammu & Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee to demand action on their charter of demands. Even late into the night, determined protesters remained on the streets, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to justice and reform. However, this peaceful expression of dissent was met with violence in Muzaffarabad, where a government-backed terror group opened fire on a nonviolent procession. The attack left several protesters injured and tragically claimed one life, underscoring a deliberate attempt by state authorities to intimidate and suppress peaceful demonstrations.

This alarming act of violence against unarmed civilians is not only a grave violation of fundamental human rights but also a dangerous escalation that threatens to destabilize the region further. The use of lethal force to silence dissent breeds violence, not peace, and undermines any prospect of meaningful dialogue or resolution. The government of AJK must immediately arrest and prosecute those responsible for this heinous act to ensure justice is served and to prevent further bloodshed. Failure to hold the perpetrators accountable risks fueling a cycle of violence and eroding trust in the state’s commitment to protecting its citizens.

We urgently call on international human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the United Nations Human Rights Council, to investigate these egregious violations. The international community must hold the AJK government accountable for its complicity in this brutal crackdown and demand immediate action to safeguard the right to peaceful assembly and free expression. The people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir deserve justice, security, and the freedom to voice their demands without fear of violence or retribution. The world cannot remain silent in the face of such atrocities—prompt and decisive intervention is critical to restoring peace and upholding human rights in the region.

Dhruv Rathee @dhruv_rathee shared a heart-wrenching plea on X: "Three days have passed, and Sonam Wangchuk remains missing. His wife is denied even a single phone call with him. No detention order has been shared, leaving us in the dark about his condition. Where is he? What is happening to him?"

The Kashmir International Front (KIF) passionately condemns the brutal killings in both Azad Kashmir and Ladakh. We demand immediate justice for the victims and the unconditional release of all human rights defenders, including Sonam Wangchuk in Indian-administered Ladakh and Raja Iftekhar in Pakistani-administered Azad Kashmir. Let their voices be heard, and let humanity prevail.