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Rawalakot Incident: Drone Shot Down Using Traditional Sling Method Amid Surveillance Concerns

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A circulating video from Rawalakot shows locals targeting and downfitting an unmanned aerial vehicle using a stone-slinging method, amid ongoing local concerns over aerial surveillance.

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RAWALAKOT — Recent developments in Rawalakot have brought public attention to aerial surveillance concerns, following footage circulating on social media showing a drone being downed in the area.

According to details from local reports and shared video material, individuals in Rawalakot claimed to have targeted and brought down an unmanned aerial vehicle using traditional stone-throwing methods. The incident has drawn local discussion regarding the presence of flying objects overhead.

While specific official details remain limited, residents have reported previous instances of drone flights over parts of Rawalakot. Various unverified accounts and claims regarding the nature and purpose of these flights have circulated locally, with some community members expressing concern over potential surveillance activities.

Contradictory claims regarding potential damage or security implications have also appeared across public platforms. However, independent confirmation of the drone's origin, operator, or official purpose has not yet been established by local authorities.

The incident highlights growing local sensitivity surrounding unidentified aerial movements in the region, as residents continue to monitor security developments closely.

Iran Prepared to Fight for Decades to Defend Nation, Says Army Chief

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Major General Amir Hatami asserts that Tehran is ready for long-term conflict, stating that power is the only language adversaries understand.

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Iran is prepared to defend its sovereignty against external threats across future generations if necessary, according to senior military leadership.

Major General Amir Hatami stated that the country remains ready to fight for the next ten to twenty years to protect its homeland. The remarks were broadcast by Iranian state television, reflecting Tehran's hardline stance amid ongoing regional tensions.

"The only way to make the enemy understand that they cannot impose their will is through the use of force," Hatami said, according to the state broadcaster.

The statements underline the country's military posture as geopolitical friction persists across the region. Iranian authorities continue to emphasize deterrence and military readiness in response to international pressure.

Tania Khan Urges Immediate Dialogue to Stop Loss of Lives in Poonch

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UKPNP leader warns that excluding Poonch and Sudhanoti from elections while security forces engage in firing and shelling is a mockery of democracy.

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United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP) Senior Vice Chairperson Tania Khan has expressed deep concern over the deteriorating security situation in Azad Kashmir, particularly in Poonch, Baloch, and Sudhanoti, calling for immediate talks to halt further bloodshed.

Khan stated that residents of Poonch have faced severe restrictions and isolation for the past three months, leaving them caught in a daily struggle for survival. She criticized the ruling authorities for engaging in political power struggles instead of addressing urgent public grievances.

Excluding Poonch and Sudhanoti from the electoral process while holding elections elsewhere is a mockery of democracy, Khan said. Continuous firing and shelling in Rawalakot, Baloch, and surrounding areas have created an alarming humanitarian crisis.

"Precious human lives are being lost daily, mothers are losing their children, and women are being widowed while the ruling class remains absorbed in a shameful game of power," Khan said.

She emphasized that force has never provided a permanent solution to political and social grievances, urging authorities to abandon stubbornness and open immediate dialogue with protesters and local stakeholders in Rawalakot. She warned that attempts to marginalize or silence the people of Poonch through force will only deepen the crisis rather than resolve it.

Reiterating the party's stance, Khan stated that the UKPNP remains committed to peaceful political struggle under the leadership of Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri, and will continue to raise its voice for human rights and the protection of civilian lives across the region.

British MP Urges Government to Raise Kashmir Situation with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister

Imran Hussain calls on UK ministers to press Islamabad over human rights concerns, communications restrictions, and supply disruptions during Ishaq Dar’s visit.

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LONDON — British Member of Parliament and All-Party Parliamentary Group for Kashmir Chairman Imran Hussain has urged UK ministers to directly raise the situation in Kashmir with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, during his official visit to the United Kingdom.

Hussain emphasized that the concerns of the UK’s sizable Kashmiri diaspora should be prioritized in diplomatic discussions with Pakistani authorities. He pointed to ongoing reports concerning human rights conditions, arbitrary detentions, communications restrictions, and disruptions in the supply of essential food and medical goods.

The British lawmaker called on the UK government to utilize appropriate diplomatic channels to advocate for the easing of tensions, restoration of communication systems, ensured access to essential commodities and medical supplies, and the resumption of peaceful dialogue.

Hussain maintained that any sustainable and peaceful resolution to the Kashmir question must place human rights at the center of the process, urging London to deploy its diplomatic influence toward constructive engagement.

The appeal comes during Ishaq Dar’s official visit to the UK from August 24 to 28, which included scheduled meetings with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Minister of State Stephen Doughty, and other officials.

Separately, Pakistan's Foreign Office stated that Dar met with British-Pakistani parliamentarians to discuss recent developments regarding Azad Jammu and Kashmir. According to the Foreign Office, the Pakistani government and local authorities in the region are engaging with various political parties and stakeholders to build consensus on governance and administrative matters.

Joint Awami Action Committee Calls Complete Strike in Muzaffarabad Division Over Arrests and Killings

The Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee has announced a complete wheel-jam and shutter-down strike across the Muzaffarabad division on August 29, protesting against alleged extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances of activists.

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The Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC) has announced a complete wheel-jam and shutter-down strike across the Muzaffarabad division on August 29, calling on residents to register their protest against ongoing crackdowns, alleged killings, and the enforced disappearance of political activists.

Khawaja Mujtaba Banday, a core member of the action committee, urged residents of the Muzaffarabad division to observe the shutdown in an organized and peaceful manner. He described the upcoming date as a critical juncture for the region's public movement.

According to the committee, the protest aims to challenge the enforced disappearances of movement-affiliated activists, including Shaukat Nawaz Mir and several other associates, alongside broader grievances concerning recent security actions and public safety incidents in the region.

"This struggle does not belong to any single individual or group; it is the collective fight of the entire Kashmiri nation," Banday said in a statement, adding that the political movement has entered a decisive phase.

Organizers have called on the public to step out and demand accountability, emphasizing that broad community participation is vital for pressing authorities to address the committee's grievances.

The JKJAAC has been at the forefront of recent civil agitations across Pakistan-administered Kashmir, organizing demonstrations over economic pressures, utility costs, and civil rights demands.

HRC-AJK Updates Kashmir Protest Death Toll to 93 Verified Fatalities

Human Rights Council of Azad Jammu and Kashmir reports 88 civilians and five security personnel killed amid ongoing demonstrations.

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MUZAFFARABAD — The Human Rights Council of Azad Jammu & Kashmir (HRC-AJK) has updated its documented casualty figures, reporting 93 verified fatalities resulting from the region's ongoing protest movement.

According to the council's latest figures, released on August 26, the updated toll includes 88 civilians and five security personnel. The tally marks an increase from the rights body's previous verification update issued on August 5.

A breakdown of the civilian casualties indicates that 40 deaths occurred prior to July 27, while an additional 48 fatalities were recorded from July 27 onward. Five security personnel deaths are also included in the council's documented summary.

The HRC-AJK stated that the figures are based on information independently verified up to this point. The council noted that ongoing communication disruptions in parts of the region continue to pose challenges for information gathering and comprehensive verification.

The released material contained a minor numerical discrepancy, with an accompanying statement referencing 86 civilian deaths while the detailed breakdown listed 88.

Amid the updated casualty report, the human rights organization called for sustained attention to the loss of life, emphasizing the necessity of peace, constructive dialogue, and accountability.

Manzoor Pashteen steps up to shoulder regional solidarity and Afghan refugee rights

As traditional figures and Afghan political circles remain silent, PTM leader Manzoor Pashteen continues organizing gatherings from the Amu River to the Indus River and protesting the expulsion of Afghan refugees from European nations.

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Gatherings under the banner of "From the Amu River to the Indus River, One Nation and One Geography" are being organized under the leadership of Manzoor Pashteen, alongside ongoing demonstrations against the deportation of Afghan refugees from European countries.

These efforts led by Pashteen represent a serious national struggle rather than a routine political development.

A notable aspect of the situation is that the primary responsibility for these matters historically fell upon those who spent years using Afghanistan and the Afghan nation as core themes for their politics. Many of those figures are now silent, while Pashteen has taken up the responsibility.

In the past, Pashteen carried the weight of responsibilities traditionally left to Pashtunkhwa's conventional elders. Today, a large segment of Afghanistan's own political circles has distanced itself from the arena. Consequently, the national duty once claimed by others is being carried forward by Pashteen.

Critics who direct biased and unjustified criticism at the simple-living activist overlook the scale of the burden he carries.

Those who once championed the slogan of unity from the Amu to the Abasin have largely stepped away from the cause. In contrast, Pashteen has assumed the responsibility amidst difficult circumstances while balancing other obligations.

As security tensions persist across Pashtunkhwa, Pashteen maintains a focus on the conditions of Afghan citizens from Kabul to Herat and Badakhshan. His stance links the developments in Pashtunkhwa and Afghanistan rather than separating them.

Reflecting on this interconnected view, Pashteen has previously emphasized that local issues in Waziristan, Peshawar, and Quetta cannot be separated from conditions in Kandahar, Herat, Khost, and Badakhshan.

The involvement in the plight of Afghan refugees highlights a broader commitment to regional unity. While some individuals work as humanitarian and civil rights advocates with material and moral backing, Pashteen and the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement face ongoing challenges, opposition, and physical hardship without similar backing.

Birmingham Protesters Maintain Vigil Outside Pakistan Consulate Over AJK Crackdown

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Demonstrators in the UK city say their sit-in will continue until peace is restored and detained activists are released in Azad Kashmir.

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BIRMINGHAM — A sit-in protest outside the Pakistan Consulate in Birmingham has entered its consecutive days, with demonstrators rallying in solidarity with the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) and local rights movements in Azad Kashmir.

The demonstration, which began on June 6, was organized to protest recent government actions and security crackdowns against activists in the region. Participants have vowed to maintain their presence outside the diplomatic mission until normalcy returns to the region and detained figures are released.

"As long as the sit-ins and protests continue in the state and until peace and security are restored, this demonstration will also continue here," said one of the participants.

The protesters have raised slogans demanding the immediate release of prominent local figures, including Shaukat Nawaz Mir, whose detention has become a focal point for the diaspora rights movement. Demonstrators argue that peaceful assembly and the right to raise civic demands should be protected rather than met with arrests and heavy-handed policing.

The protest reflects growing concern among the overseas Kashmiri diaspora regarding the political situation, inflation, and civil liberties in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Organizers said the diaspora will continue to pressure authorities through peaceful mobilization until their demands are addressed by the government in Islamabad.

Prolonged Internet Suspension Disrupts Daily Life, Economy Across Azad Kashmir

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Extended blackout cripples digital commerce, freelance work, education, and media operations as residents call for immediate restoration.

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A prolonged suspension of internet services across Azad Kashmir has severely disrupted daily life, paralyzing digital commerce, education, and professional operations throughout the region.

The ongoing blackout has hit students particularly hard, disrupting access to online lectures, educational resources, and virtual examinations. Scholars and students pursuing courses or maintaining contact with international universities and institutions report mounting difficulties as the digital isolation continues.

The disruption has similarly stalled the region's growing freelance sector. With income tied directly to international clients, digital platforms, and payment gateways, remote workers and independent professionals find themselves unable to deliver projects, communicate with employers, or sustain their livelihoods.

Private organizations, non-governmental organizations, and local media outlets are also grappling with the fallout. Routine office administration, email communications, virtual conferences, and the timely transmission of news reports have faced significant delays due to the connectivity breakdown.

Small businesses dependent on digital infrastructure and online services face mounting financial pressure. For numerous households reliant on internet-based enterprises, the blackout has evolved from a simple communications hurdle into a direct economic crisis.

Residents have stressed that internet access has become an essential utility for modern education, employment, and commerce, warning that the prolonged outage deepens hardship across the region as businesses and students absorb sustained losses.

PML-N Finalizes Barrister Iftikhar Gilani for Azad Kashmir Prime Minister Amid Internal Reservations

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Pakistan Muslim League-N leadership has nominated technocrat lawmaker Barrister Syed Iftikhar Gilani for the office of Prime Minister in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, prompting reservations from some senior party figures as the assembly session is deferred.

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The leadership of the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) has finalized technocrat lawmaker Barrister Syed Iftikhar Gilani as its candidate for the Prime Minister of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, according to party developments.

The decision has drawn internal reservations from several senior PML-N leaders. In light of the ongoing political consultations, the legislative assembly session scheduled for the election of the Prime Minister has been deferred by one day to allow for further deliberations.

Barrister Gilani hails from a prominent political family in Muzaffarabad with deep ties to the PML-N, counting among the founding members of the party in the region. He completed his foundational education in Islamabad before moving to the United Kingdom, where he earned his Bar-at-Law degree from a recognized institution. Following his return to Pakistan, he practiced law in Islamabad for approximately a decade.

His political career in the region's legislative assembly spans multiple terms. He first contested and won a seat in the 2011 legislative assembly elections on a PML-N ticket, securing victory despite facing an electoral alliance between the Pakistan Peoples Party—which held regional power at the time—and the Muslim Conference.

In the 2016 general elections, Barrister Gilani retained his seat in the assembly by defeating his political rival, Khawaja Farooq Ahmed, by a substantial margin.

During his subsequent tenure as the region's Minister for Education, he introduced several structural reforms within the department. His initiatives included implementing recruitment through the National Testing Service (NTS) to promote merit-based hiring, alongside measures aimed at raising educational standards and establishing professional benchmarks for educators.

The nomination comes as the political leadership in Islamabad engages with regional figures to finalize the formation of the new administration in Azad Kashmir.