Pakistan Army wreaks havoc in PoK, opens fire on civilians; 6 killed

New Delhi: The brutality of the Pakistan Army has once again come to light in PoK. On Tuesday, Munir's army opened fire on civilians without provocation, resulting in the deaths of at least six people. Tensions have escalated in the area following this incident.

What do we know about Pakistan Army's Brutality in PoK? 

Atrocities against civilians in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) show no signs of abating. On Tuesday, Asim Munir's army and security forces suddenly opened fire on civilians without any provocation, killing at least six innocent citizens. 
This incident has sparked massive outrage across the region, and the situation is spiraling out of control. Reports indicate that early Tuesday morning, Pakistani security forces used force against unarmed civilians in the Matiyal Meera bus terminal area of ​​Rawalakot and the Baloch area of ​​Sudhanoti district. The sudden gunfire caused a stampede, and many people were caught in the crossfire.
According to reports, the deceased include Wajid Hayat from near the Matiyal Meera bus terminal. Meanwhile, in the Baloch (Sudhanoti) area, citizens including Zahid Mughal, Zafar Mughal, and Arslan Akbar lost their lives. Intense anger is evident among the local population following the incident; they have begun raising slogans against the Pakistan Army. The situation remains tense, and additional security forces are being deployed in the area.

Did PoK's Voice Reaches the White House? 

Just a day before this bloodshed, people from PoK staged a protest outside the White House in Washington, D.C. Around 100 protesters—including women, children, and community leaders—condemned the oppression by the Pakistan Army and demanded immediate intervention from the international community. The protesters demanded that Pakistani military forces immediately withdraw from civilian areas in PoK. They also condemned the internet shutdown, which has cut off approximately 4 million people from the outside world. Protesters appealed to India to intervene in order to save lives and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid.
India criticized Pakistan; in a statement issued on Tuesday, the Ministry of External Affairs condemned the ongoing protests and violence in PoK, attributing them to Pakistan's 'systematic exploitation.' MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the protests in PoK are a direct consequence of Pakistan's decades-long systematic exploitation, denial of fundamental rights, and administrative oppression in the illegally occupied territories. The Ministry urged the international community to hold Pakistan accountable for the atrocities committed against ordinary citizens.

Severe economic and health crisis in PoK? 

Apart from the recent violence, a deep economic crunch and a humanitarian crisis are intensifying in PoK. According to a study report, although 66 percent of the population relies on agriculture and animal husbandry, more than 57 percent of households face food shortages. Approximately 29 percent of the people are malnourished, a figure significantly higher than Pakistan's national average of 19.9 percent. The situation is even worse in hilly areas, where 90 percent of households are affected by food grain shortages. The healthcare sector also presents a worrying picture; according to Pakistan's Voluntary National Review report, 39 percent of children under the age of five suffer from stunted growth, and the maternal mortality rate stands at 104 per 100,000 live births.