Escalating Violence in Azad Kashmir: Dozens Killed as Government Forces Open Fire on Unarmed Processions. Millions came out to raise their voice for their basic rights. #AJKProtest

United Kashmir News. Oct 1, 2025

In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing crisis in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, reports confirm that government forces have opened fire on unarmed protesters, resulting in the deaths of dozens of civilians. The violence has intensified as communication with the outside world has been

 severed, with no phone service mobile or landlines, no internet, or electricity available in the region. Videos smuggled out of Azad Kashmir and posted in Pakistan reveal the dire situation, highlighting the lack of basic services and the brutal response from security forces.

The protests, initially sparked by demands for lower prices of wheat, flour, and electricity, have now turned deadly. According to the latest reports, at least half a dozen protesters have been killed in direct firing by police, with the total death toll rising to dozens as the violence continues unabated. The lack of communication infrastructure has made it difficult to verify the exact number of casualties, but eyewitness accounts and smuggled footage paint a grim picture of the situation.

Protesters, many of whom are part of the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC), have been demanding relief from skyrocketing inflation and the withdrawal of recent subsidy cuts. The government's response has been severe, with security forces using live rounds against the crowds. Videos circulating online show civilians scrambling for cover amidst bursts of gunfire, with injured youth being rushed to local hospitals on makeshift stretchers.

The crisis has been further exacerbated by the imposition of a near-total internet shutdown across Azad Kashmir, severing mobile data and landline services in an attempt to curb the spread of protest footage. This has left residents isolated and unable to seek help or share their experiences with the outside world. People have resorted to traveling to Pakistan to post videos and seek assistance, highlighting the desperation and severity of the situation.

The international community has yet to respond decisively to the escalating violence, but the images and videos emerging from Azad Kashmir are likely to draw attention to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region. As the death toll continues to rise, calls for intervention and a resolution to the underlying grievances grow louder.

Stay in touch for further updates as the situation develops.