India Calls Out Crackdown in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir as Elections Unfold Amid Unrest

India has issued a strong condemnation of the ongoing legislative assembly elections in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, describing them as a complete farce while drawing attention to a sustained crackdown by Pakistani security forces. The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted public protests and the loss of civilian lives as the defining reality of the region rather than any genuine electoral process.

The elections have been overshadowed by allegations of rigging, political unrest and an armed crackdown. Photo: File/ANI | Firstpost

India’s Strong Condemnation

On August 4, 2026, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the so-called local elections could not conceal the ground situation. He noted that the Pakistani establishment had answered public discontent with bullets, blackouts, intimidation and repression, and was now seeking to manufacture legitimacy through a hollow electoral exercise. 

According to the spokesperson, at least 90 civilians had lost their lives in the continuing crackdown since June. India called on the international community to hold the Pakistani establishment accountable and to look beyond what it described as hypocritical claims on human rights. New Delhi also restated its consistent position that the entire Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, including the areas under Pakistani control, remain an integral part of India.

Background of the Protests

The unrest has its roots in long-standing grievances over political representation and economic conditions. The Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee, a coalition of traders, lawyers, activists and civil society groups, has been at the forefront of the demonstrations. Its central demand is the abolition of twelve seats in the legislative assembly that are reserved for Kashmiri refugees living in mainland Pakistan. 

Critics of the arrangement argue that it allows external influence over local governance and the allocation of resources. The group’s wider charter of thirty-eight demands also addresses economic pressures such as electricity tariffs and flour prices, along with calls for anti-corruption measures and greater local autonomy. Negotiations between the committee and the authorities broke down in late May 2026. Shortly afterwards the organisation was banned under anti-terrorism laws, and the regional supreme court upheld the constitutional protection of the reserved seats, further intensifying local opposition.

Escalation of Violence and Crackdown

Protests spread across towns including Rawalakot, Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, Kotli and Bagh. Security forces responded with deployments that included personnel from Punjab, the imposition of internet and mobile blackouts, and restrictions on movement. Clashes intensified, particularly during a long march from Rawalakot towards Muzaffarabad that coincided with the opening phase of the elections. 

Death toll figures remain disputed because of the communications shutdown and limited access for independent observers. While Indian officials cite at least ninety civilian deaths since June, Amnesty International has reported around forty fatalities that include both civilians and security personnel. Local accounts have placed the number of civilian deaths higher. Rights groups have alleged excessive use of force, while the authorities maintain that their actions were taken in response to attacks on security personnel.

The Staggered Elections

Because of the security situation, voting for the assembly was divided into three phases for the first time. Polling took place on 27 July in the Mirpur division, on 2 August in the Muzaffarabad division including the disputed refugee seats, and is scheduled for 10 August in the Poonch and Sudhanoti areas. 

The Joint Awami Action Committee called for a boycott, describing the process as lacking credibility. Early results favoured the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, which secured a substantial share of seats, while the Pakistan Peoples Party took others. Allegations of irregularities and political interference have accompanied the voting, and some constituencies faced delays caused by weather and landslides.

International Concern

Human rights organisations and the United Nations have expressed serious concern. Amnesty International called for an independent and transparent investigation into the use of force and for the immediate restoration of communications services, noting that the blackout has hindered verification of events on the ground. 

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk urged prompt, thorough and impartial investigations into all deaths and appealed for restraint, political dialogue and respect for the rights of peaceful assembly and expression. He also raised concerns about the ban on the protest organisation and restrictions on gatherings. Members of the diaspora organised demonstrations in the United Kingdom to highlight the reported violence.

The MGMM Outlook 

India’s strong response to the developments in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir highlights the widening gap between Pakistan’s electoral claims and the realities emerging from the region. Reports of civilian deaths, communication blackouts, restrictions on protests and allegations of excessive force have raised serious concerns, while New Delhi has reiterated that democratic legitimacy cannot be established through elections conducted amid widespread unrest. India has also maintained its long-standing position that the entire region of Jammu and Kashmir, including the territories under Pakistan’s control, remains an integral part of India.

The continuing protests reflect deep-rooted political and economic dissatisfaction among the local population, with demands for greater representation, transparency and accountability. The concerns expressed by international human rights organisations and the United Nations over the reported violence and restrictions further underscore the need for impartial investigations and respect for civil liberties. Addressing public grievances through dialogue and accountable governance remains essential for achieving lasting peace and stability in the region.

(Sources: Firstpost, The Indian Express, India Today)