In a recent update to the ongoing protest in PoK against the Pakistan government in Muzaffarabad, two people were killed and 22 were injured on Monday. As per the sources of NDTV, armed thugs backed by the Pak Army and the ISI-backed Muslim Conference were seen firing on civilians demanding basic rights.

Videos shared by Pakistani news channels captured the chaos unfolding on the streets, offering a glimpse into the spiralling unrest. In one clip, armed men were seen firing shots into the air as others clambered onto car rooftops amid a sea of chanting protesters waving flags. Another video showed a demonstrator holding a handful of spent bullet casings as proof of the violence.

Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) has been gripped by large-scale protests over the past 24 hours, led by the Awami Action Committee, which accuses authorities of denying basic rights to the people. The region witnessed a complete shutdown, with markets, shops, and public transport brought to a standstill.

The protesters have issued a list of 38 demands, including the scrapping of 12 PoK Assembly seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees living in Pakistan, a provision locals say dilutes their political representation.

"Our movement is about securing basic rights that have been denied to us for more than 70 years. Either give us our rights or be ready to face the anger of the people," said Awami Action Committee (AAC) leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir. Mir warned Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’sgovernment, saying the ongoing strike was only their “Plan A,” meant to show that people were running out of patience. He added that the AAC had more plans ready, including a severe “Plan D.”

In response, the Pakistan government has deployed heavy security forces across PoK. According to Dawn, armed soldiers have been conducting flag marches in several towns, and thousands of troops have been moved in from Punjab province. Another 1,000 soldiers were reportedly sent from Islamabad. Internet access in the region has also been restricted.

The current clashes in PoK come just days after another tragic incident. Last week, 30 civilians were killed in airstrikes by the Pakistan Air Force. China-made JF-17 fighter jets reportedly dropped LS-6 laser-guided bombs on a village in the remote Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

The incident triggered widespread anger among residents, who were already anxious due to a sharp rise in terror attacks in recent years. The surge in militant activity in Khyber is also linked to banned organisations like Jaish-e-Mohammed, which reportedly shifted to the region to set up new bases following India’s Operation Sindoor.