In Rawalakot, a city in Pakistan-administered Kashmir (PAK), protests continue. Dr. Anwar's (name changed) makeshift clinic is unable to cope with seriously injured protesters. On a bed under a red tarpaulin lies Shafqat Hussain, shot in the chest. The sheet beneath him is stained with the blood of previous patients. He is dying.

Over the past two months, dozens of people have been killed in clashes between security forces and protesters from the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) across the region. This area, home to about 4.5 million people, is currently holding elections. The BBC is the first media organization to gain access to Rawalakot and speak to those at the heart of the protests.

Dr. Anwar told our team: "We have enough supplies to provide first aid. We can stop bleeding, clean and dress wounds, and remove superficial bullets. But patients with serious injuries to the chest, abdomen, head, or other vital organs need advanced hospitals." He added: "Even major hospitals would struggle if many such patients arrived at the same time." Since July 27, the clinic has treated around 50 to 60 critically injured patients, with 15 to 20 gunshot wounds personally treated by him.

Protesters are afraid to go to the main hospital, fearing arrest or being shot. The authorities have called that claim inaccurate. "Most of those killed or seriously injured are young people between about 15-16 and 32-35 years old. I have seen very few patients over 40," Dr. Anwar said.

At Hussain's bedside, his friend Ali wipes tears with his shawl. "We only asked for affordable flour, electricity, and our basic rights," he said, struggling to steady his breath. "Instead, our brothers are being killed. What was our crime? Why are live bullets being fired at us?" JAAC protesters say demonstrations are about their rights, including electricity prices, education, and healthcare. An agreement signed with Pakistan and PAK governments in October was meant to help, but JAAC says it hasn't been implemented.

The local government disagrees, saying the group is armed and aims to disrupt ongoing polls. They are unwilling to let protesters march to the regional capital, Muzaffarabad. JAAC was banned in June and labeled foreign-funded terrorists. They reject this characterization, saying they are peaceful and, though funded from the PAK diaspora, not sponsored by India. They claim they are victims, with Pakistan's security forces firing on them.

With the internet cut and roads blocked or guarded, obtaining information has been difficult. The BBC spoke to multiple families who lost loved ones shot at protests. Asma said she was at the protest when she heard her only son had been shot. "We were only asking for our rights. We are not terrorists," she said. "No mother could ask for a better son." Salman lost his brother: "He was the youngest and loved by everyone. It's a great loss. But I feel proud he gave his life standing up for people's rights. He wasn't fighting or attacking anyone."

Ayub, a former serviceman, lost his son. He didn't blame Pakistan's government or military but pointed to the PAK government for calling in paramilitary forces. "I am a retired soldier. I lived through martial law under General Zia-ul-Haq and General Pervez Musharraf," he said. "But I have never seen anything like what is happening now. In my opinion, it is extreme injustice."

The PAK government rejects allegations that security forces fired indiscriminately at peaceful protesters, saying law enforcement acted against individuals involved in attacks on personnel, threats to public safety, or obstruction of lawful authority. The BBC witnessed food shortages, with many protesters sharing what they had. Most shops were shuttered. Some told of smuggling rice bags on motorbikes. Some roads into the city are blocked by felled trees; authorities say JAAC did this. Other entry points have security checkpoints. PAK's government denied preventing food or medical supplies from entering, saying they facilitate entry.

Authorities repeatedly call JAAC a violent group, sharing drone footage of alleged armed members. At press conferences, police displayed guns allegedly seized from the group, mentioning injuries and deaths of security officials. They claimed one man under interrogation said he was promised 10 million rupees (around £26,700) for each paramilitary officer killed. Umar Nazir, a JAAC core committee member, denied this, suggesting infiltrators were planted by authorities. He provided no evidence, and authorities accuse JAAC of disinformation.

At JAAC protests attended by the BBC, no weapons or shooting were seen, though gunshots were heard overnight. The atmosphere is tense and uncertain; no one knows when escalation might occur. Nazir says the group is willing to talk, but more protests are planned for now.

Source: www.bbc.co.uk