Pakistan: Thousands flee Azad Jammu and Kashmir due to shelling

Event

As of Tuesday, July 11, authorities claim that around 3000 people have fled villages in Abbaspur sector in Azad Jammu and Kashmir due to ongoing shelling over the past two weeks between Indian and Pakistani forces along the Line of Control (LoC). According to a local official, at least six people have been killed and over 20 wounded in Abbaspur sector in the past two weeks.

Context

Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), also known as Azad Kashmir, is a self-governing administrative division of Pakistan. It is bordered by Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir to the east, which is separated by the LoC. The LoC is a de facto border dividing military control of the Kashmir region between Pakistan and India, originally implemented by the Simla Agreement in 1972.

Last year saw a surge in skirmishes between Indian and Pakistani troops along the International Border (IB) and the LoC. Apart from military casualties, these incidents claimed civilian lives on both sides and prompted residents to flee border areas. Both New Delhi and Islamabad accuse each other of unprovoked shootings and other violations of ceasefire agreements. Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan, is claimed by both in full. Since their independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir.

Advice

As a reminder, Western governments advise their citizens against nonessential travels to Pakistan due a nationwide high threat from terrorism, kidnapping, and sectarian violence. Travel should only be considered with strict security protocols in place.​