At Least 20 Reported Killed, Scores Injured in Violent Clashes in Rawalakot, PoJK

Rawalakot, Jul 28: At least 20 people were reportedly killed and more than 100 others injured during violent clashes in Rawalakot and adjoining areas of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), according to information and lists circulating on social media and local sources. The unrest reportedly erupted during protests, with participants said to be demanding basic civic rights. Videos and images shared online purportedly showed spent ammunition cartridges at the scene, though these visuals could not be independently verified. Local sources claimed that the death toll may rise as several of the injured are in critical condition. Authorities have not officially confirmed the casualty figures. A list circulating online identified the reported deceased as: Usman Nazeer (Rawalakot), Muhammad Muzammil (Ali Sojal), Zargham Khalil (Darek), Naeem Butt (Kotli), Fida Hussain (Gartala), Faheem Afzal (Chhota Gala), Kashif Yaqoob (Chhota Gala), Thaqib Hanif (Rehar Ban), Thaqib Ishaq (Namb Gowara), Nisar (Dhaman, Pakhonar), Arail Asghar (Tatta Pani), Basit Shah (Hajira), Usman Gul (Darek), Jafeer Pehlwan (Trarkhel) and Arslan Latif Dar (Haveli). The list also mentioned two unidentified victims, 5 are still unidentified in the absence of any proof of identity. The reported incident has triggered widespread reactions on social media, with calls for accountability and justice. However, there has been no official statement from the Pakistani authorities confirming the reported casualties or the circumstances surrounding the violence. The reported casualty figures and identities are based on information shared by local sources and social media and could not be independently verified at the time of publication.