A British national was shot dead in Pakistan-administered Kashmir during clashes between security forces and protesters, while another has been held in a regional prison for more than two months, according to the Guardian.
Mohammad Akhtar, 50, who lived in Peterborough, was killed on June 9 in Kotli, close to the area where protests were taking place over economic and electoral reforms.
His cousin, Mohammad Saad, said Akhtar was not participating in the demonstrations but was hit by a stray bullet after Pakistani security forces opened fire near his home.
“There was firing by the forces that day and he was hit by a stray bullet,” Saad said, adding that the family had not pursued the matter with British authorities because they feared being targeted.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said it was “deeply concerned” by the situation in parts of Pakistan-administered Kashmir. It said ministers and the UK high commissioner in Islamabad were in contact with counterparts, while travel advice had been updated on August 7.
Another British national, Waqas Arif, 38, from Nottingham, was detained in Mirpur after protests on June 5. His family said he had not taken part in the demonstrations.
Arif’s sister, Sumera, said Pakistani forces and Rangers entered the family home and took him and two of his brothers away. She said Arif had not been charged or taken to court.
His wife, Varisha Kampulvi, said British authorities had not been able to make direct contact with him since his detention.
In an email to Kampulvi on June 26, the Foreign Office said consular staff had contacted officials at the prison where Arif was being held. The authorities said he was in good health, although officials had not spoken to him directly.
The Guardian reported that the unrest has killed dozens and posed a major challenge for Pakistani authorities in the disputed Himalayan territory, which is also claimed by India.
Pakistan has accused the Joint Awami Action Committee, a civil society group involved in the protests, of terrorism and imposed a communications blackout in the region since June 5. The group has said the authorities are suppressing dissent and described the elections, which began on July 27, as a “sham” being held “at gunpoint”.
Pakistani authorities have rejected accusations that security forces fatally shot at least 30 people during demonstrations last month. Pakistan’s foreign ministry and its high commission in London did not respond to the Guardian’s requests for comment.
