Raising slogans like "Butcher of Kashmiris, Pakistan Army", "Dogs are more loyal than ISI", agitated Kotli residents in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) recently took to the streets to protest against the atrocities committed by the Pakistan Army and the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI).

The protests come after several instances of extra-judicial killings, fake encounters and brutalities committed on pro-Azadi leaders, who disagree with the Pakistan State. According to an estimate by All Parties National Alliance (APNA), more than 100 pro-freedom political activists have been killed by the ISI over the past two years.

One of the most prominent leaders among them was Arif Shahid, a major Kashmiri nationalist leader and chairman of APNA who constantly fought for Kashmiris in PoK, and was also one of the most vocal critics of Pakistani policy.

He was shot dead outside his residence in Rawalpindi in 2013, yet no inquiry was ordered over his killing and Pakistani politicians maintained a conspiratorial silence. Miffed with the same, the protesters in Kotli also demanded an independent investigation into his murder.

Meanwhile, condemning these incidents, United Kashmir People's National Party Spokesperson Nasir Khan said that Pakistan has no affection towards people of Kashmir and is playing tactical games in the name of religion.