Colombo, Nov 13: Four members of a family, including women and children, died after an explosion ripped through a house in Pandi village of Bagh district in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The incident has drawn attention to the region’s worsening political tensions, where protests over basic rights have increasingly brought residents into conflict with authorities, according to a report.
The blast occurred in an area that has seen sustained public mobilisation led by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC). The movement initially emerged around demands for affordable electricity, economic relief, governance reforms and greater accountability, Sri Lanka-based Daily Mirror reported.
Over recent months, protests and sit-ins have spread across Bagh’s towns and villages, making the district a significant centre of political opposition in PoK. The deaths of four members of one family have therefore added another layer of concern to an already tense situation.
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JAAC Alleges Drone Strike, Police Dispute Claim
The JAAC accused Pakistani security forces of targeting Shakhtar Hussain and alleged that a drone delivered the explosive device that caused the blast. According to the committee, the victims were Hussain’s wife, his 11-year-old son, his eight-year-old daughter and their grandmother.
Condemning the incident, the JAAC said the alleged targeting of civilians in a disputed territory violated human life, dignity and international humanitarian law. It demanded an immediate and independent investigation, with full transparency, the Daily Mirror report said.
Local police rejected the committee’s allegations. They maintained that the explosion originated inside the house and claimed that a militant group had been using civilian homes as operational hideouts.
The conflicting accounts have further fuelled public distrust, according to the report.
Dispute Between JAAC and Pakistani Authorities Intensifies
The latest incident comes amid a wider confrontation between the JAAC and Pakistan’s authorities. The committee has faced increasing pressure after Pakistani authorities formally banned the organisation under anti-terrorism laws in June.
Earlier this week, the JAAC called on the authorities to stop firing, avoid what it described as unnecessary force and end actions that intimidate civilian communities.
The appeal followed reports of deaths and serious injuries, including among women and children, during security operations in the Rawalakot region. Pakistani security forces were accused of opening fire and carrying out drone strikes against peaceful protesters.
Expressing concern over developments in Rawalakot and nearby areas, the committee maintained that demonstrators taking part in peaceful sit-ins should not be treated as enemies. It demanded an immediate end to firing, aerial intimidation and the use of unnecessary force.
JAAC Seeks Probe and Medical Assistance for Victims
The committee also urged authorities to hand over the bodies of those killed to their families without delay. It sought formal condolences and appropriate assistance for the affected households.
In addition, the JAAC called for safe and equal access to medical care for all injured people. It also demanded the restoration of mobile networks, internet services and other essential communication facilities across PoK.
The organisation further pressed for an impartial, transparent and time-bound investigation into all reported deaths, injuries, arrests, alleged unlawful use of force, armed activity and incitement.
It said investigators should establish clear procedures for gathering and preserving evidence, protecting witnesses and publishing findings within a specified deadline. The committee also stressed that allegations should not be treated as established facts without verifiable evidence.
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–IANS
