MUZAFFARABAD: The state capital of Azad Jammu and Kashmir remained paralyzed Friday evening as protests and a sit‑in (dharna) continued, with police resorting to heavy firing that transformed the city’s atmosphere into one of fear and chaos.
According to local reporter Hamraz Chaudhry, Muzaffarabad was “completely closed” as demonstrations spread across various parts of the city.
Women and children joined the protests, underscoring the scale of public anger. “From about 6 pm to 7:30 pm last evening, the Muzaffarabad police opened such heavy fire that it is impossible to estimate,” Chaudhry said, describing the intensity of the crackdown.
He recounted a harrowing moment near Gojra Police Lines road where a cop on a police van fired multiple shots at close range.
“A cop fired 4 to 5 shots at a distance of about 5 feet from me and I felt like this was the last day of my life,” Chaudhry told his friends. He stressed that no Action Committee workers or protesters were present at the site when the firing occurred.
Police vans reportedly roamed the city throughout the evening, firing continuously and heightening panic among residents. “The peaceful atmosphere of Muzaffarabad has been transformed into an atmosphere of fear,” Chaudhry added.
Meanwhile, political leaders were also present in the city. Federal Minister Rana Sanaullah and Adviser Amir Muqam of the PML‑N, along with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and other party leaders, were gathered at a local five‑star hotel under the PPP’s leadership. Their presence highlighted the political dimension of the unrest, though no official statements were immediately issued.
The ongoing dharna has disrupted daily life in Muzaffarabad, with shops shuttered and mobility severely restricted. Residents expressed concern that the unchecked use of force could escalate tensions further, as the city remains on edge.
