SOURCE: AFI
Tensions in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), commonly referred to as Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), have reached a boiling point as local nationalists and separatists escalate their demands for freedom from Pakistani control. In a bold and defiant message directed at the Pakistan Army, nationalist groups have declared, “This is Azad Kashmir, not Balochistan. You can bring back the bodies of your people from Balochistan, but you won’t be able to take back the bodies from Azad Kashmir either. They will be found at the Mangla Dam.” This chilling warning underscores the growing unrest in the region and signals a deepening resistance against what many locals perceive as an oppressive military presence.
The statement reflects the frustration of AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) communities, where separatist sentiments have gained momentum in recent years. Unlike Balochistan, where Pakistan has faced long-standing insurgency and managed to recover the bodies of its personnel despite fierce resistance, nationalists in AJK are asserting that their region will pose an even greater challenge. The reference to the Mangla Dam—a critical infrastructure site in AJK—serves as a symbolic and strategic threat, hinting at potential disruptions or confrontations in areas of vital importance to Pakistan.
The unrest in AJK and GB stems from decades of alleged neglect, exploitation, and suppression by the Pakistani state. Locals accuse Islamabad of treating the regions as colonial outposts, extracting resources like hydropower from the Mangla Dam and Neelum-Jhelum projects while providing minimal economic benefits to residents. Grievances also include restrictions on free speech, forced disappearances, and heavy-handed military tactics, which have fueled demands for self-determination. Separatist groups argue that AJK and GB, despite being touted as “autonomous,” remain under tight control from Pakistan’s federal government and military establishment.
Recent posts on X have amplified these sentiments, with voices from AJK and GB openly challenging Pakistan’s narrative of unity. Activists claim that the regions’ distinct cultural and historical identities, coupled with their strategic importance along the Line of Control (LoC) with India, make their struggle unique. The nationalists’ message also draws a contrast with Balochistan, suggesting that while Pakistan may have developed mechanisms to counter insurgency there, AJK’s terrain, proximity to India, and mobilized populace present a different calculus.
The Pakistan Army has yet to issue an official response to the provocative statement, but security analysts suggest that Islamabad faces a delicate situation. Any escalation in AJK risks not only destabilizing the region but also drawing international scrutiny, given its proximity to the Kashmir dispute. India, which claims PoJK as part of its territory, has consistently highlighted human rights concerns in the region, adding a geopolitical layer to the unrest.
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