Protests escalate in Pakistan-administered Kashmir as march on Muzaffarabad announced

Protests in Pakistan-administered Kashmir intensified on Tuesday as demonstrators called for a long march towards Muzaffarabad, the regional capital, after a three-day shutdown that has shuttered markets, schools, transport and even government offices.

Organizers said protesters from across 10 districts are set to converge on the capital. Those in nearby areas will begin marching on Wednesday, while demonstrators from more distant regions have already set out.

The unrest deepened after the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which is spearheading the protests, filed a police case against leaders of the Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference, accusing them of involvement in the killing of a protester during Monday’s clashes. The victim, identified as Sudheer, was laid to rest on Tuesday.

Amid rising tensions, Faisal Mumtaz Rathore of the regional government released a video message urging JAAC to resume talks. He admitted the shutdown had thrown the region into turmoil but stressed that dialogue remained open, pointing out that federal envoys from Islamabad had already held marathon negotiations with the protest leaders.

Umer Nazir Kashmiri, a JAAC core committee member, welcomed the outreach but demanded Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif first withdraw security forces from the region and immediately restore internet and mobile services.

Meanwhile, reports on Tuesday described heavy tear gas shelling in civilian areas. Roads leading to Muzaffarabad were blocked with containers, some of which were later removed by protesters. Video footage showed one container being pushed into the Poonch River from Palak bridge in Dadyal.

In another incident, Islamabad police officers deployed to the region came under pressure after firing tear gas and were briefly surrounded by demonstrators before being escorted to safety. More than 3,000 officers had been sent to the area last week as authorities braced for unrest.