Mohammad Akhtar, 50, a British national from Peterborough, was killed on 9 June in Kotli, Pakistan-administered Kashmir, during clashes between security forces and protesters. His family said Pakistani security forces opened fire on a gathering where protesters were demanding economic and electoral reforms in the disputed region, which is also claimed by India.
Stray Bullet Kills British National
Akhtar was staying in the city of Kotli, close to where clashes occurred. His cousin, Mohammad Saad, said Akhtar was not taking part in the protests but was hit by a stray bullet. “There was firing by the forces that day and he was hit by a stray bullet. There was a bullet wound on the side of his chest,” Saad said. Akhtar’s children decided not to pursue the matter with British authorities because they could not get a police complaint registered in Kashmir and feared the family could be targeted if the case was highlighted.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) said: “The UK is deeply concerned by the situation in parts of Pakistan-administered Kashmir. FCDO ministers and the UK high commissioner in Islamabad are in touch with their counterparts, and UK travel advice was updated on 7 August and continues to advise against all but essential travel to affected areas.”
Another Briton Detained
Waqas Arif, 38, a British national from Nottingham, was detained in Mirpur after protests on 5 June. His family said he did not take part in the demonstrations. His sister Sumera said Pakistani forces and Rangers came to their house and took her brothers away. “There is no charge. He hasn’t done anything. This is my brother, but I think there are thousands of other brothers like him from everywhere who they have put in [prison] so they can minimise the protest power … they have not even been taken to court,” she said.
Arif’s wife, Varisha Kampulvi, said British authorities had not been able to make direct contact with him since he was taken to the prison in Mirpur. A Foreign Office email sent to her on 26 June said consular staff had made contact with officials at the prison, confirming Arif was in good health, but they had not had direct contact with him.
Clashes and Crackdown
The details shed light on how Britons with familial ties to the region have been affected by clashes that have killed dozens in the Himalayan territory, posing the biggest challenge for Pakistani authorities in recent years. Islamabad has been accused of launching a violent crackdown on supporters of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), a civil society group that launched protests months ahead of a three-phase vote in the region that began on 27 July. Pakistan declared the JAAC a terrorist organisation and imposed a communications blackout since 5 June. Security forces have been accused of fatally shooting at least 30 people during demonstrations last month – charges the government has rejected. The JAAC said authorities were trying to suppress dissent and have detained scores of its supporters, describing the elections as a “sham” held “at gunpoint”.
It is understood that MP Hamish Falconer, during his previous role as a Foreign Office minister, raised the situation in Kashmir in talks with his counterparts during a 16-17 June visit to Islamabad. Stephen Doughty, who currently holds the role, has also been in touch with his counterparts. Pakistan’s foreign ministry and its high commission in London did not respond to requests for comment.
