Rawalakot (PoJK), July 27:Protesters in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) on Monday accused Pakistani security forces of opening indiscriminate fire on demonstrators in Rawalakot, as thousands prepared to march towards Muzaffarabad following the breakdown of talks between the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) and the authorities.

The allegations came amid escalating tensions during the 52-day protest movement, with demonstrators demanding the release of detained activists, withdrawal of cases against protesters, and acceptance of their broader demands.

Social media influencer Aqeel Bhai, who claimed to have witnessed the violence firsthand, appealed to the international community and media to highlight the situation in Rawalakot. In a video message, he alleged that the scale of casualties had overwhelmed both protesters and emergency responders.

"The situation has become dire. Rawalakot is filled with the dead and the wounded. Please stand with us. I barely escaped with my life. After witnessing so many brothers being killed, I can no longer remain silent. We are peaceful people, but there are countless dead and injured. Our shoulders are exhausted from carrying the bodies," he said.

Describing what he called one of the most harrowing scenes, Aqeel Bhai claimed he saw a protester wring out a blood-soaked handkerchief. "What dripped from it was the blood of Kashmiris. I have witnessed people dying before my eyes. The situation has become truly terrible," he alleged.

He further urged international media organisations and human rights groups to intervene, claiming that local resources were insufficient to handle the growing number of casualties.

"We are running short of ambulances and vehicles. People are carrying the wounded themselves, and the roads are covered in blood," he said, while accusing the authorities of using excessive force against peaceful demonstrators and continuing their crackdown on the protest movement.

The claims made by protesters could not be independently verified, and there was no immediate response from Pakistani authorities regarding the allegations.