At least 11 people were killed and more than 70 others were injured in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Sunday after violent clashes broke out between protesters and security forces ahead of a planned protest scheduled for June 9.

The violence occurred as police and paramilitary personnel attempted to disperse supporters of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), a banned alliance of civil society groups that claims to be fighting for the economic and political rights of the people.

According to police, JAAC supporters had gathered outside a hospital morgue where the body of one of their members had been brought. The man had reportedly died after being shot by police during earlier unrest.

Sardar Waheed Khan, commissioner of the Poonch sector, described the situation while speaking to Reuters. He said, "Four police officers and a passerby died after miscreants shot at them. As a result of the law enforcers' response, six protesters were killed."

The latest violence has further escalated tensions in the Himalayan region, which remains a sensitive area because of its proximity to India.

Police Chief Liaqat Malik said that a total of 73 people were injured in Sunday's clashes. The injured included 23 security personnel and 50 protesters. He also confirmed that authorities had arrested 30 individuals in connection with the violence.

Following the incident, JAAC leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir strongly criticised the actions of the authorities. In a video message posted on X, he said, "The state has begun a massacre of our people in Rawalakot." Referring to the district where the violence took place, Mir also vowed that the group would remain united and continue with the planned June 9 lockdown.

The government rejected the allegation. Responding to Mir's statement, Khan said, "The JAAC leadership is misleading the masses by terming it a massacre. The state's action was meant to restore law and order."

Khan further claimed that security forces came under attack when they attempted to disperse the protesters. According to him, JAAC activists used automatic rifles, petrol bombs and other weapons against law enforcement personnel.

The JAAC has called for a region-wide strike to protest the reservation of 12 seats in the upcoming July 27 elections for the region's legislative assembly. Out of the 45 seats being contested, the alliance is demanding that the reserved seats be abolished.

The group argues that these seats are being contested by candidates who do not live in Kashmir but are based elsewhere in Pakistan. JAAC leaders have maintained that the arrangement does not fairly represent the interests of local residents.

On Friday, the regional government officially declared the JAAC a banned organisation under anti-terrorism laws. Authorities also advised both domestic and foreign tourists to leave the region before June 9 because of concerns over possible unrest.

The latest incident comes after months of tensions between the alliance and the authorities. Over the past two years, JAAC has led several large demonstrations against rising flour and electricity prices. Some of those protests also turned violent and resulted in deadly clashes between supporters of the group and security forces.

The fresh violence has raised concerns about stability in the region as authorities prepare for the planned shutdown and the upcoming legislative elections.