Protesters Branded 'Enemies': India Slams Pakistan Over Crackdown on Civilians in PoK

India on Thursday strongly criticized Pakistan over its reported crackdown on civilians in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), accusing Islamabad of treating peaceful protesters as "enemies" instead of addressing their concerns through democratic means. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) condemned the use of force against demonstrators and expressed concern over statements made by Pakistani leaders describing protesters as adversaries. New Delhi said such remarks reflect Pakistan's approach towards handling public dissent in the region.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Pakistan should focus on addressing the grievances of people living in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir rather than suppressing their voices through force. He added that the international community should take note of the reported actions against civilians.

The criticism comes amid continuing unrest across several parts of PoK, where residents have been staging protests over issues including governance, economic hardship, unemployment, rising prices, and demands for greater political rights. The demonstrations have intensified in recent weeks, with reports of clashes between protesters and security personnel. According to reports, several civilians have been killed and many others injured during the security crackdown. While the exact number of casualties remains disputed, the incidents have drawn attention from human rights observers and political analysts monitoring developments in the region.

Pakistan has defended the actions of its security forces, maintaining that the measures were necessary to restore law and order. Authorities have also alleged that some protests were influenced by anti-state elements, a claim that protest groups have rejected, insisting their movement is driven by genuine public grievances.

India has consistently maintained that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir remains an integral part of India and has repeatedly raised concerns over the treatment of civilians in the region. The latest remarks from New Delhi add to the growing diplomatic exchanges between the two neighbours over the situation in PoK.

The developments come at a politically sensitive time, with regional elections and increasing public dissatisfaction placing additional pressure on Pakistan's administration in the territory. Analysts believe that unless underlying economic and political issues are addressed, public unrest in PoK could continue in the coming months.

The latest diplomatic confrontation is expected to further strain already fragile India-Pakistan relations, with Kashmir once again emerging as a major point of contention between the two countries. International observers are likely to closely monitor the evolving situation as concerns over human rights and regional stability remain in focus.