Islamabad, November 5, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
At least seven people, including children, were killed and 18 others seriously injured on Thursday after Pakistani security forces allegedly opened fire and carried out drone strikes against peaceful protesters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), the United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP) said.
The UKPNP strongly condemned what it described as indiscriminate firing, excessive use of force and drone attacks targeting peaceful protesters and residential areas in Rawalakot.
Citing information it had received, the organisation alleged that Pakistani security forces targeted protest sit-ins at Matialmera Bus Terminal, Umar Farooq Chowk and other locations in Rawalakot during the early hours of Thursday. The forces reportedly used heavy machine guns, armoured vehicles and drones.
The UKPNP identified three of the deceased as Atif Jardees, 35, Ehtisham Younis, 30, and Adil Rashid, 32. It also raised concerns over reports that four children were killed in an alleged drone attack.
“A house belonging to Shakeel Khan near Matialmera Bus Terminal was reportedly destroyed by fire following an alleged drone attack. Disturbing reports also say that four children may have died in the incident. These claims require urgent independent verification, and further casualties are feared,” the group stated.
Describing the alleged use of lethal force against unarmed civilians as a serious human rights concern, the UKPNP said, “The Kashmiri people are peacefully demanding fundamental rights, essential public services, protection of property, human dignity and the rule of law. Their legitimate demands must not be answered with bullets, intimidation or collective punishment.”
The organisation urged the United Nations, European Union and international community to intervene and address the situation in Rawalakot and other affected areas. It called for independent investigations into the reported killings, injuries, drone attacks, destruction of homes and other alleged human rights violations.
The UKPNP said transparent investigations were necessary to establish the facts and determine accountability, while warning against further violence against civilians.
The latest allegations come amid wider international concerns over the treatment of protesters in PoK. Recently, six UN Special Rapporteurs on human rights raised concerns over Pakistan’s designation of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) as a terrorist organisation, citing allegations of state violence, deaths, arrests and other human rights violations.
In a letter to the Pakistani government, the UN experts questioned the designation and the reported use of counter-terrorism measures against the organisation and people associated with it.
“We are concerned that the designation may not be consistent with international standards concerning terrorist listings, and that JAAC may have been unjustifiably listed in retaliation for its political, labour and human rights advocacy, in violation of international human rights law,” the letter stated.
The experts also expressed concern over alleged restrictions on peaceful assembly and association, excessive force during demonstrations, unlawful killings, arbitrary arrests and communication restrictions following the designation.
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