Nine Killed in Clashes with Police During Election Protests in Pakistan-Administered Kashmir

At least nine people were killed in clashes between security forces and supporters of a banned protest group in Pakistan-administered Kashmir on Tuesday (14/7/2026) local time. The deadly incident occurred a day before the group planned to hold a march against controversial election rules ahead of regional polls later this month.

Poonch Division Commissioner Waheed Khan said the clashes broke out after protesters blocked a security convoy and attacked officers in the Poonch sector. "Police and security officers responded in self-defence," Khan told Reuters, cited Wednesday (15/7/2026).

According to Khan, the clashes in Tararkhal killed six demonstrators and one police officer. Meanwhile, a separate incident in Rawalakot resulted in the deaths of one demonstrator and one security personnel.

The protests were triggered by a dispute over the allocation of 12 reserved seats in the regional assembly for Kashmiri refugees now living in other parts of Pakistan. Demonstrators argue the mechanism reduces local representation in the regional government.

The Joint Action Committee (JAAC), which was declared a banned organisation under Pakistan’s anti-terror laws in June, had called for a march towards Rawalakot on Wednesday. Responding to the plan, Khan confirmed that authorities were on alert to prevent the crowd from entering the city. "Security forces are ready to stop the demonstrators from entering Rawalakot," he said.

According to local authorities, unrest related to this conflict has killed around 30 people since June, reflecting the mounting political and security tensions in Pakistan-administered Kashmir ahead of the regional vote.