New Delhi (India) July 29: When defending his country's brutal crackdown in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), Defense Minister Khawaja Asif reiterated his belief that protesters there were like "enemies, like India," thus stoking fresh controversy, after dozens of protesters were killed during Pakistani crackdown in the Rawalakot region of PoK, claiming the lives of at least 32 Kashmiris in the last two days.

"I put the protesters of Azad Kashmir in the same category as India and consider them also as enemies like India," Asif said.

Viral Videos Show Pakistani Security Forces Firing

Several videos went viral on social media which showed Pakistani security forces actively firing at civilians in Mirpur and, later, taking bodies in vehicles. The brutality of Pakistani troops during the crackdown were evident in videos posted on various social media handles, including one by Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which showed the panicked locals trying to flee. 

The videos on X were flooded with pictures and videos of fallen motorcycles in the streets. Locals had reportedly taken to the streets to demand justice for the human rights violations carried out by Islamabad in the region. 

JAAC Accuses Islamabad Of Human Rights Abuse

Most of those who were killed were affiliated to the JAAC, an organization that the Islamabad authorities banned over the reporting of human rights violations committed in the region. The group also attacked the Pakistani media for stating that the JAAC was attempting to invade Rawalakot and claim that they have not entered into anyone's house, but the land is our land which is illegally occupied.

"In Mirpur, the public has been martyred five more people on the streets, in Churhoi, the public is on the streets... except for Sarsoha Panjhera Sehnsa, from all sides, honourable people are on the streets bearing the pain of their brothers," JAAC said.

India Condemns Pakistan's Actions In PoK

India rebutted such claims, calling it "an attempt to legitimize Pakistan's illegal occupation of the territory," according to a statement by External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. Jaiswal also stated that this electoral process could not change the territorial claims of India. Along with condemning the electoral process, the MEA spokesperson stated that the protests were due to major political and economical issues of PoK and not merely due to the law and order situation.

"The current cosmetic electoral exercise is nothing but an attempt by Pakistan to camouflage its illegal occupation and hide its grave human rights violations in the region," he said.

He added, "India's position on this matter has been clear, consistent, and well known. The entire Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh, including the areas currently under Pakistan's illegal and forcible occupation, are integral and inalienable parts of India.”

"As we have stated earlier, the ongoing mass protests in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir are the direct consequences of Pakistan's economic exploitation, its denial of the people's fundamental rights, and its administrative oppression," he said.