Protests in Pakistan-administered Kashmir have killed over 40+ deaths in clashes with security forces over two months, challenging Islamabad's authority. The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), banned in June, leads demonstrations demanding healthcare and electricity, while authorities accuse them of disrupting elections and label them foreign-funded terrorists. The group denies these claims, stating they are peaceful and funded by the diaspora, not India.

The BBC, first to access the region, reports from Islamabad correspondent Caroline Davies on the situation in Rawalakot, where a crackdown has left the city mostly sealed off. The protests highlight deep-seated grievances against the government's handling of local rights and services, marking the most significant challenge to Islamabad's authority in years.