India blames Pakistan for protests in PoK, seeks accountability

Protests across multiple districts of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) on Tuesday (July 14, 2026), a day ahead of the July 15 long march call by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), have drawn attention in India amid indications of a deepening agitation there.

PoJK has been witnessing protests since last month over various issues. On Monday (July 13, 2026), eight major protests were reportedly held and fresh clashes in Sudhnoti and Mathiyal Mera resulted in several casualties, as per Indian agencies.

Responding to a query at a press briefing on Tuesday, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: “The ongoing protests in the PoJK are a direct consequence of Pakistan’s decades-long systemic exploitation, denial of fundamental rights and administrative oppression in areas under its illegal and forcible occupation.”

“Rather than addressing the legitimate grievances of the local population, the Pakistani state has responded with excessive police brutality, including against helpless women and children, blocking essential supplies, including of food and medicine, enforcing Internet blackouts and deploying lethal force against unarmed civilians that has led to tragic fatalities,” he said.

“We expect and hope that the international community will hold Pakistan fully accountable for these egregious abuses and misdeeds,” said Mr. Jaiswal.

JAAC’s call for a long march to Muzaffarabad on July 15 follows the expiry of its ultimatum to the Pakistan government over the release of detained leaders and activists, implementation of its 38-point charter of demands, and an end to the ongoing “security crackdown”.