Clashes between security forces and supporters of a banned protest group in Pakistan-administered Kashmir killed nine people on Tuesday, officials said, a day before the group planned a march against controversial electoral arrangements ahead of regional elections later this month.
The violence stems from a dispute over 12 seats reserved in the regional assembly for refugees who live elsewhere in Pakistan, a system protesters say dilutes local representation.
Poonch Divisional Commissioner Waheed Khan said protesters blocked a security convoy and attacked officials in the Poonch sector.
“Police and security officials responded in self-defence,” Khan told Reuters.
Six protesters and one police officer were killed in Tararkhal, while a protester and a security official died in a separate clash in Rawalakot, he said.
The Joint Action Committee (JAAC), banned in June under anti-terror laws, has called for a march on Rawalakot on Wednesday. Khan said security forces were prepared to prevent marchers from entering the city.
Around 30 people have been killed in the unrest since June, according to local estimates.
Reporting by Tariq Maqbool in Muzaffarabad, writing by Mubasher Bukhari in Lahore; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani (Reuters)