Protest in Pakistan’s Kashmir stalls after nine killed in clashes

At least 28 people have been killed since protests began in June, as the region braces for a major protest march.Islamabad, Pakistan – At least nine people were killed in Pakistan-administered-kashmir" class="entity-link entity-event" data-entity-id="165637" data-entity-type="event">clashes in Pakistan-administered-kashmir" class="entity-link entity-location" data-entity-id="142485" data-entity-type="location">Pakistan-administered Kashmir on Tuesday, as a planned protest march to the region’s capital, Muzaffarabad, temporarily stalled amid rising tensions.Security personnel raided a house on the outskirts of Rawalakot town in the region’s Poonch district after receiving a tip-off about a weapons cache, but came under fire, officials said. An officer was killed.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Deadly protests in Pakistan-administered-kashmir" class="entity-link entity-location" data-entity-id="142485" data-entity-type="location">Pakistan-administered Kashmir: What’s going on?list 2 of 4At least 11 killed in Pakistan-administered-kashmir" class="entity-link entity-location" data-entity-id="142485" data-entity-type="location">Pakistan-administered Kashmir clashes before rallylist 3 of 4Unrest in Pakistan-administered-kashmir" class="entity-link entity-location" data-entity-id="142485" data-entity-type="location">Pakistan-administered Kashmir: What’s behind the recent protests?list 4 of 4Why has Pakistan-administered-kashmir" class="entity-link entity-location" data-entity-id="142485" data-entity-type="location">Pakistan-administered Kashmir erupted in protest again?end of listIn a separate clash in Sudhnoti district, protesters blocked a security convoy, which officials said came under a barrage of stones and gunfire. Seven protesters and a police officer were killed, according to authorities. Police officials have said that security personnel acted in self-defence.Deadly protests have periodically rocked the region since the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), a group that is leading a major protest movement, was proscribed under anti-terrorism laws on June 5.Protesters wait in Rawalkot before march on MuzaffarabadMeanwhile, protesters gathered under the JAAC’s umbrella were still in Rawalkot on Wednesday evening, despite announcing they would set off at 2pm on Wednesday, officials told Al Jazeera. The government has severely restricted internet and phone access in the region, making it harder to reach the protesters directly.Munir Qureshi, deputy commissioner of Muzaffarabad, said the situation in the capital and surrounding areas was calm.“Muzaffarabad and its adjoining areas are all clear, and there is no disturbance to public life,” he told Al Jazeera. “Internet access is limited due to the security situation, but otherwise the situation is normal and there is no protest or violence.”