October 3, 2025 | 07:28 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Violent protests in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir have left at least eight people dead, Pakistani officials confirmed on Thursday.
Control over the territory of Kashmir has been divided between Pakistan and India, which have disputed it since the two countries were formed in 1947.
The protest in Pakistan-administered Kashmir began on Monday, as thousands took to the streets of Muzaffarabad, the capital of the territory, to demand an end to lucrative benefits for the political class, such as free electricity and expensive cars.
Authorities blocked internet and mobile phone services. Officials also reportedly warned local media against covering the events.
According to AFP news agency reporters on the ground, streets were stained with blood and littered with spent bullet casings, shards of glass and scattered stones.
Three police officers and five civilians have been killed so far, according to two security officials who spoke to Reuters news agency. The officials confirmed that clashes had been ongoing since the protests began on Monday.
Pakistani TV reported that businesses, schools and transportation services went on strike in response to the unrest.
Pakistani PM opens dialogue
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed the situation, offering to set up a committee of senior officials to resolve the conflict.
"The government is always ready to resolve the problems of our Kashmiri brothers," he said.
The committee would be responsible for investigating the violence that occurred and seeking dialogue with protesters, Sharif's office said in a press release.
The protests have been led by the Awami Action Committee (AAC), a civil rights organization formed to fight for local rights in the mostly rural, Muslim-majority region.
AAC protest leader Shaukat Nawaz said police had fired at protesters.
"The bullets being fired at us are made in Pakistan to be used against the enemy and are now being used against us," he said.
Editor’s Choice: Indian Army Denies Reports of Ceasefire Breach by Pakistan
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Oktoberfest Back on After Munich Bomb Scare
15 jam lalu
A police investigation into explosions and a fire at a detached house in northern Munich found no link or threat to the Oktoberfest beer festival.
Trump's Gaza Plan Finds Indonesia, Pakistan as Asian Backers
20 jam lalu
The governments of Asia's largest Muslim-majority countries are backing the US president's peace plan. But, will that support come at a cost?
Indonesian Police Foils Trafficking of Migrant Workers Bound for Middle East
1 hari lalu
Police foiled the departure of illegal migrant workers bound for the Middle East, suspected to be linked to an international trafficking network.
Jakarta Court Delays Student's Riot Lawsuit as President, Police Chief Absent
1 hari lalu
Jakarta District Court postponed the trial over the August 2025 riot lawsuit after the defendants and their lawyers failed to appear on Wednesday.
ICW Reports Indonesia's 2024 Corruption Case Handling Lowest in Past 5 Years
1 hari lalu
ICW reveals that in 2023, law enforcement revealed 791 corruption cases and 1,695 suspects.
Jakarta Police Explain Prolonged Detention of Activists over August Protests
2 hari lalu
Jakarta Metro Police have held activist Delpedro Marhaen and others for almost a month on allegations of inciting August 2025 demonstrations.
Jakarta Police Seize Over One Ton of Drugs Worth $70 Million
2 hari lalu
Jakarta Police seized 1.14 tons of narcotics between July and September 2025 and arrested thousands of suspects.
The Vanishing Promise to Investigate the Violence
2 hari lalu
President Prabowo's pledge to form a fact-finding team to investigate the August-September 2025 riots fizzled out. The probe hit a brick wall.
Madagascar President Fires Government After Gen Z Protests
2 hari lalu
At least 22 people were killed after protests broke out power cuts, water shortages and widespread poverty in Madagascar.
National Police Chief Says Indonesia's August Unrest Worries Investors
2 hari lalu
The National Police Chief said the protests that led to riots last month resulted in significant losses.
