In Gulam Jammu-Kashmir (Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, PoK), Pakistani security forces opened indiscriminate fire on protesters led by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) in the Dera Eidgah area of Rawalkot on Thursday, killing 16 people and injuring 37. The demonstrators comprised of elderly people, women and children but the Pakistan Rangers spared none. They had assembled to call for justice for 30 activists shot dead in previous firing. Since the massacre campaign started last Friday, 53 people have been killed and hundreds injured.
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The Eidgah Maidan was packed with some 70,000 people on Thursday. Mosque loudspeakers appealed for a large turnout at Eidgah. Eyewitnesses said that Pakistan Rangers were marching towards the university area, or Tarar Campus. People tried to hold them back. Rangers shot tear gas shells and began shooting. Escalating clashes with security forces made the situation more and more serious.
According to IANS, JAAC said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that early morning gunfire was heard in Dera Eidgah Maidan. Talks with officials had taken place on Wednesday night, but still on Thursday morning, protesters were shot at. There was shooting, and people fled in all directions to save their lives in the shooting. Pakistani security forces fired on the crowd without warning.
Why and How the Firing Happened: Action
RAWALKOT, Dera Eidgah: People gathered to demand justice for 30 activists killed in previous firing. The recent killing of young JAAC leader Shahjeeb has intensified protests. Shahjeeb was shot dead when the police targeted the convoy of Committee Chairman Umar Nazeer. Violence erupted, and 30 people were killed and 200 injured in the firing. The killings enraged the region.
Protesters, under JAAC’s leadership, decided to stand openly against Pakistan Rangers’ oppression. Rangers fired tear gas shells without warning during the firing. The situation worsened with clashes with security forces. The protest had old people, women, and children, but Pakistan Rangers spared no one.
Statements and Quotes
In an early morning X post, JAAC said the Dera Eidgah Maidan was echoing with gunfire. Officials met Wednesday night, but protesters were shot at Thursday morning.
One eyewitness said the Pakistan Rangers were moving towards the University Area, also known as Tarar Campus. The Rangers responded with tear gas canisters and opened fire after people tried to block them.
This incident is part of a long series of indiscriminate firing and shooting at crowds by Pakistani security forces, said an expert. To fire without warning, to spare neither the aged, the women, nor the children, is inhuman.
Past Events and Context
The recent killing of young JAAC leader Shahjeeb has led to intensified protests. Police targeted the convoy of Chairman Umar Nazeer; Shahjeeb was hit and died. Violence erupted, and 30 people were killed and 200 injured in the firing. These killings have caused widespread outrage.
The massacre campaign, which began last Friday, has so far killed 53 people. Hundreds are hurt. These people had assembled in Dera Eidgah, Rawalkot, to demand justice for 30 activists who were killed in firing earlier.
Timeline
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Recent: Police target Chairman Umar Nazeer’s convoy; JAAC young leader Shahjeeb killed
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Shahjeeb death: shot dead
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Violence erupts: 30 killed in firing, 200 injured.
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Last Friday: began campaign of slaughter.
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Wednesday night: Discussions with officials.
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Thursday morning: Dera Eidgah Maidan is filled with around 70,000 people; the area echoes with gunshots.
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Thursday: Pakistan Rangers fired without warning and shot tear gas shells; 16 were killed, 37 injured
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So far: 53 killed in massacre campaign, hundreds injured.
Also read: Pulwama Mastermind Hamza Burhan Killed by Unknown Gunmen in Jammu and Kashmir
Why This Matters
What makes this incident significant is that Pakistani security forces shot at the crowd without warning, killing elderly people, women, and children. This is against humanity and is a violation of international standards.
It matters for regional impact too. People in PoK openly have stood against oppression by Pakistani Rangers. In Rawalkot, some 70,000 women and children were gathered. This protest is the struggle of people of PoK and their demand for justice.
This is a serious signal for society.” To use tear gas and to fire on big crowds, not sparing the elderly, women, and children, is contrary to humanity. This issue is very important as it shows part of a long series of indiscriminate firing by Pakistani security forces.
India Angle
The India angle is important because the people of J&K and PoK are in the same region. People in PoK openly have stood against oppression by Pakistani Rangers. In Rawalkot, some 70,000 women and children were gathered.
Seedhi baat hai, Hinglish mein, jab PoK mein firing hoti hai, toh uska asar India ke logon par hota hai. The people of Jammu and Kashmir and PoK are in the same territory, and they have stood against the oppression of Pakistan Rangers openly.
This is a message to Indian readers: firing upon crowds and shooting without warning by Pakistani security forces are against humanity. In India, this incident will be watched closely by families, community leaders, and policymakers.
News Writer’s Perspective
“I think this incident highlights serious human rights issues in PoK. Pakistan Rangers had opened fire on the crowd without warning, killing old people, women, and children. This isn’t human.
The incident could lead to greater international scrutiny of the conduct of Pakistani security forces. More transparency and accountability may be demanded by authorities. This is a very important issue, as it shows how firing can lead to mass loss of life and signals the need for better protection of human rights.
What Next
Next steps: protest of JAAC and PoK people continuing to demand justice. Pakistani security forces may be under greater international scrutiny.
International organizations may demand an investigation into the firing and human rights violations. Authorities may increase demands for transparency and accountability from security forces in Pakistan.
The incident could worsen diplomatic ties between India and Pakistan. Both sides can have discussions on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and PoK. Also covered by Deccan Chronicle.
Conclusion
Gulam, Jammu and Kashmir: Pakistan Rangers open fire again; 16 more killed. Until now, 53 activists have been killed. As many as 70,000 people, including women and children, gathered at Dera Eidgah, Rawalkot, PoK. The Pakistan Rangers opened fire on the crowd without any warning and also fired tear gas shells.
It is a very tragic incident, as in the firing, women and children were also killed, and so were elderly people. It’s part of a long string of indiscriminate firing by Pakistani security forces. The incident underscores serious human rights concerns in PoK and the need for better protection.
So far 53 people have been killed and hundreds injured. This protest is the struggle of people of PoK and their demand for justice. International attention could increase and diplomatic tension between India and Pakistan could increase.
