POK protesters are enemies like India: Khawaja Asif defends killing of 14 activists

Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, no stranger to controversy, has once again made an inflammatory remark amid the ongoing protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK). Defending the killing of protesters in POK, Asif said he viewed those taking to the streets against Islamabad as "enemies like India".

Known for a series of controversial statements during Operation Sindoor, Asif made the remarks after Pakistani security forces opened fire on a protest march led by the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), killing at least 14 activists in one of the deadliest crackdowns witnessed in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in recent years.

Speaking to a local television channel, Asif defended the government's actions and made no distinction between India and those protesting against the administration in POK.

"I put the protesters ... in the same category as India and consider them also as enemies like India," the Pakistani defence minister said.

CRACKDOWN ON PROTESTERS

The latest violence erupted after thousands of JAAC supporters marched from Rawalkot towards Muzaffarabad, demanding the abolition of 12 legislative assembly seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees. The JAAC say the arrangement dilutes the political rights of POK residents and enables Islamabad-based political parties to influence the formation of governments in the region. Protest leaders say only those who live in POK should have the right to elect its legislature.

According to the organisation, nearly 5,000 people were participating in what it described as a peaceful march when security personnel allegedly opened fire. The JAAC claimed at least 14 of its activists were killed and more than two dozen others were injured. Among those killed was Usman Nazir, the younger brother of JAAC founding member Umar Nazir.

The organisation accused Pakistani security personnel of opening "unprovoked fire" on protesters.

Pakistani authorities, however, offered a sharply different account. The government alleged that demonstrators were carrying modern weapons and had targeted security personnel, prompting the response.

Independent verification of the competing claims has not been possible.

This further intensified tensions in POK, where protests have continued for weeks. According to multiple reports, more than 80 people have been killed since demonstrations began on June 5 and the subsequent military crackdown. Before the latest violence, around 40 people -- including 34 protesters and six security personnel -- had reportedly lost their lives.

INDIA CALLS POLLS A 'COSMETIC EXERCISE'

The crackdown happened as Pakistan pushed ahead with the first phase of elections for the so-called legislative assembly in POK. Clashes broke out in several areas, ballot boxes were reportedly looted and opposition raised allegations of rigging despite a heavy security deployment.

Reacting to the developments, India dismissed the electoral exercise as an attempt to legitimise Pakistan's illegal control over the region. Addressing a weekly media briefing, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the polls could not alter India's position on the territory.

"The current cosmetic electoral exercise is nothing but an attempt by Pakistan to camouflage its illegal occupation and hide its grave human rights violations in the region," he said.

Reaffirming India's long-standing stand, Jaiswal said the entire Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, including the areas under Pakistan's control, remain an integral part of India.

"India's position on this matter has been clear, consistent, and well known. The entire Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh, including the areas currently under Pakistan's illegal and forcible occupation, are integral and inalienable parts of India."

The MEA spokesperson also linked the continuing demonstrations in POK to deeper political and economic grievances rather than isolated law-and-order incidents.

"As we have stated earlier, the ongoing mass protests in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir are the direct consequences of Pakistan's economic exploitation, its denial of the people's fundamental rights, and its administrative oppression," he said.

The protests in PoK did not emerge overnight. For months, residents across the region have staged demonstrations over rising inflation, soaring prices of essential commodities, frequent power shortages and governance-related issues. Many protesters have demanded affordable electricity, subsidised wheat flour and greater accountability from the administration. The movement has steadily evolved into a broader expression of public dissent with Islamabad's governance of the territory.

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With inputs from agencies