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India has strongly criticised Pakistan over reports of a crackdown on protesters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, saying Islamabad is trying to cover up its failures by spreading fake news and diverting attention from alleged human rights abuses.
India has reacted sharply to reports of violence and police action against protesters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, with the Ministry of External Affairs accusing Pakistan of attempting to hide its own failures in the region. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India continues to see a pattern of fake news and videos emerging from Pakistan in connection with the protests. He said this appears to be a desperate attempt by Pakistan to cover up its failings and deflect attention from alleged human rights abuses in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The statement came amid reports of large-scale protests, clashes, arrests and restrictions in the region. Demonstrations have reportedly been linked to public anger over governance issues, economic hardship, political representation and the treatment of local people.According to reports, protesters in several areas faced a heavy security response. There were also reports of casualties and injuries during the clashes, although different reports have mentioned different figures. The unrest has once again brought attention to the political and human rights situation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. India has consistently maintained that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is under illegal occupation by Pakistan. New Delhi has also repeatedly accused Islamabad of exploiting the region’s resources while denying basic rights to the people living there. In its latest response, India urged the international community to take note of the situation and hold Pakistan accountable for what it called misdeeds and abuses against protesters. The statement signals that India intends to keep the issue alive at the diplomatic level, especially when reports of violence and restrictions continue to emerge from the region. The protests have also exposed deeper concerns within the region. Local groups have reportedly raised issues related to inflation, electricity prices, political rights, representation and lack of basic services. The crackdown has only intensified criticism of Pakistan’s handling of public anger. The situation is sensitive because PoK remains a disputed and militarily important region between India and Pakistan. Any major unrest there quickly becomes part of the larger India-Pakistan diplomatic confrontation.
For India, the latest developments strengthen its argument that Pakistan’s control over PoK has led to political suppression and economic exploitation. For Pakistan, the unrest presents a serious internal challenge at a time when its economy and governance systems are already under pressure. The MEA’s reference to fake news and videos also shows that the information war around PoK has become a major part of the issue. Both the protests and the government response are being closely watched on social media, where videos, claims and counter-claims are spreading rapidly. India’s position is clear: Pakistan must stop suppressing protesters, stop deflecting attention through misinformation, and be held responsible for alleged human rights violations in the region. As the situation develops, the focus will remain on whether Pakistan chooses dialogue and reform or continues with security-led action against protesters.
Key Highlights
- India criticised Pakistan over the crackdown on protesters in PoK.
- MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called it a desperate attempt to cover up Pakistan’s failures.
- India accused Pakistan of spreading fake news and videos to divert attention.
- Reports suggest several protesters were killed or injured during clashes.
- India urged the international community to hold Pakistan accountable.
- The protests have highlighted governance, economic and rights-related concerns in PoK.
