Pakistan Deploys Extra Troops In PoK As Rawalakot Protest Showdown Looms Ahead Of July 27 Polls

Last Updated:July 07, 2026, 13:24 IST

Sources said military authorities have issued a final ultimatum to demonstrators gathered in Rawalakot, asking them to end their sit-in peacefully or face a forcible dispersal

Pakistan has deployed additional security personnel across parts of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), particularly around Rawalakot, as authorities prepare for a possible crackdown on anti-government protesters ahead of the region’s general elections scheduled for July 27, top security sources have told CNN-News18.

According to the sources, Pakistan’s military establishment is determined to restore what it describes as a “peaceful atmosphere" in PoK before polling begins and has instructed security agencies to ensure that ongoing demonstrations do not disrupt the electoral process.

The latest build-up comes amid weeks of protests led by the Awami Action Committee (AAC), which has been spearheading demonstrations against what it alleges are Pakistan military excesses and governance failures in the region.

‘No More Negotiations, No More Protests’

According to top security sources, Pakistan’s security establishment has conveyed a clear message to protest leaders that there will be “no more negotiations and no more protests".

The sources said military authorities have issued a final ultimatum to demonstrators gathered in Rawalakot, asking them to end their sit-in peacefully or face a forcible dispersal operation.

Security officials are also believed to have warned leaders of the Awami Action Committee that if they refuse to call off the agitation voluntarily, security forces could launch an operation to clear the protest site.

Military High Command To Take Final Call

Sources indicated that Pakistan’s military high command is expected to take a final decision within the next 24 to 48 hours on whether to initiate action against the protesters.

Before any operation, authorities may offer what officials describe as a “final window" for Awami Action Committee leaders to voluntarily end the protest.

However, if that offer is rejected, security agencies are reportedly preparing contingency plans for a large-scale operation to disperse the demonstrators.

Security Forces On High Alert

According to the sources, security forces across PoK have been placed on heightened alert and additional personnel have been deployed at sensitive locations, particularly around Rawalakot.

The sources further claimed that forces have been instructed to remain prepared for all contingencies, including the possibility of opening fire if the situation escalates during any enforcement operation.

Election Focus

The security build-up is being viewed by officials as part of broader efforts by Islamabad to ensure that the July 27 general elections in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir take place without prolonged unrest.

The elections are expected to determine the composition of the PoK Legislative Assembly, and authorities are keen to avoid large-scale protests overshadowing the electoral exercise.

Protesters Call For Wider Mobilisation

Even as security agencies intensify preparations, the Awami Action Committee has refused to back down.

According to sources, the organisation has issued its own ultimatum to Pakistani authorities and has called for mega protests on July 9, alleging military atrocities and demanding greater rights for residents of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.

The announcement raises the possibility of a direct confrontation between protesters and security forces in the coming days, with both sides hardening their positions.

With additional troops now deployed and military commanders weighing their next move, Rawalakot could emerge as the focal point of one of the biggest confrontations in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir in recent months.

About the Author

Manoj Gupta

Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

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