New Delhi, July 28: There has been a major crackdown on groups calling for a boycott of the elections in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The Pakistani security forces have primarily targeted the Awami Action Committee (AAC), which has been spearheading the campaign to boycott the ongoing polls, which began on Monday, in the region.

Violence was reported in Rawalakot’s Dreik Eighth area where security forces targeted the protesters. As of now, the security forces have reportedly killed 20 people who were boycotting the elections.

Indian intelligence agencies have learnt of a massive security build-up across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as the election process began on Monday. Snipers have been deployed at several locations, while the security forces have been accused of using live ammunition and long-range tear gas shells to disperse protesters.

Officials say that the security forces have been ordered to open fire on those boycotting the elections. The establishment wants to clearly silence dissent in the region, which has been witnessing protests for several weeks now.

Field Marshal Asim Munir had recently held meetings with the security forces and directed them to use force if the protests do not subside.

Another official said that the protests were being carried out in a peaceful manner. However, the Pakistan government wants to portray these persons as anti-nationals and ordered the security forces to open fire on them, citing national security, the official also said.

In addition to using brute force against the people of PoK, the establishment has also suspended internet and mobile services in the region. Electricity and water supply have also been cut in several parts of the region.

The AAC has urged journalists and international organisations to raise these issues and circulate their message widely, apparently to build pressure on the Pakistani authorities to stop the atrocities.

As many as 13 seats are up for grabs in the multi-phase legislative assembly elections in PoK. The boycott call has been immensely successful so far, and the same would be witnessed in the remaining phases of the elections as well.

The boycott calls came in the wake of the establishment not listening to the grievances of the PoK people. They feel that no matter which party is elected, Islamabad would ensure that the region remains underdeveloped.

Further, the people are aware that the Pakistani military will rig the elections and put up a party of its choice to govern PoK. Officials say that despite the crackdown, the protesters remain relentless in their pursuit.

“There are no signs of the protests dying down,” officials say.

The people of the region feel they have come this far despite all the might and force being used against them all these days. Hence, it would be futile to give up their protest at this stage, the official also added.

An Intelligence Bureau official said that the situation is very tense, especially in Rawalakot. Thousands are protesting, and there is no sign of peace returning any time soon. All eyes are on Rawalakot as the protesters are present there in large numbers.

“Even the brutalities are highest at this place, and estimates suggest that apart from the death of 20 people, over 250 have been injured in firing by the security forces,” the official added.

This brutal crackdown has led to the Opposition in Pakistan condemning these incidents.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman, chief of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F), condemned the firing by the security forces and accused the establishment of failing to address the problems of the people.

He said that the people had every right to protest and added that residents of PoK know this election has been rigged. He urged the establishment to stop the oppression of the people and added that his party firmly stands with the people of PoK.

Tehran, July 27: Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on said Ukraine’s attack on an Iranian commercial ship in the Caspian Sea “cannot go unanswered.”

In a post on the social media platform X, Araghchi accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of ordering “a blatant UN Charter violation done at Israel’s behest to drag Europe into its war.”

He said he had “made clear that what the freeloader in Kyiv did CANNOT GO UNANSWERED” in phone calls with European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Saturday and Sunday respectively, Xinhua news agency reported.

He made the remarks on Saturday in a phone call with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, in which the two sides discussed the latest regional developments, according to a statement by the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

Araghchi condemned the Ukrainian attack, urging the EU, UN Security Council, and international community to hold its “perpetrators” and supporters to account, according to the statement.

The two sides also addressed developments in the Strait of Hormuz, stressing the need for diplomatic initiatives to manage regional tensions, it added.

In a separate statement, the ministry said it summoned Ukraine’s charge d’affaires in Tehran on Saturday over the attack, formally delivering a note of protest condemning the “hostile and criminal” act.

According to the Iranian foreign ministry, the attack took place at 3:00 a.m. local time on Saturday (2330 GMT on Friday) and led to the vessel’s explosion as well as a sailor’s death.

The semi-official Mehr news agency on Sunday reported that three sailors were also injured in the attack.

Citing the Governor of Iran’s northern Gilan province Hadi Haghshenas, it said that the steel-laden vessel was en route from Russia’s Astrakhan Port to Iran’s Anzali Port in Gilan when it came under attack.

The ship’s bridge was destroyed, leaving it unable to continue its voyage, Haghshenas said, adding that the incident would be pursued through domestic and international legal channels.

Zelensky said on Saturday that his country’s forces had hit a Russian warship and vessels used for transporting Iran-linked military cargo in the Caspian Sea.

Tehran, July 26: Iran and Oman held several rounds of technical talks in Tehran to discuss arrangements for safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said on Sunday that the talks were “useful and forward-looking” and progress had been made.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Baqaei said the talks were held on Friday and Saturday at the level of Deputy Foreign Ministers, during which, they discussed common principles and practical mechanisms for ensuring safe maritime traffic through the strategic waterway while respecting the sovereign rights of the two littoral states, Iran’s official Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported.

Baqaei added that Oman delegation left Iran on Saturday. However, the two nations would continue the technical and political consultations.

When asked regarding the current situation about navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that there had been no change in the status of maritime traffic in the waterway, IRNA reported.

The Strait of Hormuz links the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. It is one of the world’s most important energy corridors, carrying oil and liquefied natural gas exports from major Gulf producers to international markets.

The talks between the two nations come amid renewed tensions in West Asia following military exchanges between the US and Iran.

Meanwhile, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the United States’ naval blockade against Iran remains fully in effect, announcing that American forces have redirected multiple commercial vessels, boarded ships for verification, and disabled one tanker that allegedly attempted to violate the blockade.

In a post on social media platform X, CENTCOM added: “The US naval blockade against Iran remains in full effect. As of July 25, CENTCOM has redirected 12 commercial vessels trying to run the blockade, disabled 2 that didn’t comply, and boarded 2 to ensure total compliance.”

The US Central Command said that US forces earlier completed a verification boarding of the Comoros-flagged tanker M/T Charminar in the Arabian Sea.

Describing the operation, CENTCOM said: “Earlier today, US forces completed a verification boarding aboard Comoros-flagged M/T Charminar in the Arabian Sea, and the tanker is now continuing its journey.”

CENTCOM also announced action against another vessel, saying American forces had disabled the Mozambique-flagged tanker M/T Lavine in the Gulf of Oman after its crew allegedly attempted to breach the blockade.

According to the command, “CENTCOM forces disabled Mozambique-flagged M/T Lavine in the Gulf of Oman on July 24 after the crew attempted to violate the blockade multiple times and ignored repeated warnings. The ship is no longer transiting to Iran.”

The military command emphasised that US forces remain prepared for further operations in the region, saying: “American forces remain highly vigilant, focused, lethal, and ready.”