Manipulated clip spreads as deadly protests erupt in Pakistan-administered Kashmir

"At dawn, around the time of Fajr prayer, security forces attempted to advance toward the protest sit-in while firing shots and using tear gas shells," reads an Urdu-language Facebook post shared July 4, 2026.

In the video, a large crowd is gathered with mobile flashlights turned on while continuous gunfire noises can be heard in the background.

The caption adds that residents said mosque announcements brought a large number of people to the protest site, which halted the firing.

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Screenshot of the falsely shared post captured on July 6, 2026, with a red X added by AFP

The video surfaced as supporters of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) pressed ahead with protests in Pakistan-administered Kashmir despite the group being banned under anti-terrorism laws (archived link).

Twenty-two people have been killed in clashes between protesters and police, according to an AFP tally.

Members of the JAAC have described their listing as a terror group as "oppression", saying they are demonstrating for legitimate economic and political rights.

Protests, sit-ins and business strikes have paralysed daily life in many towns across the region, according to officials and residents who also reported widespread mobile internet outages.

The area is considered highly sensitive by the Pakistani military and government after years of frequent skirmishes and full-blown war with India.

Muslim-majority Kashmir is claimed in full by both India and Pakistan, but has been divided between them since their independence from British rule.

JAAC member Shaukat Nawaz Mir's official Facebook page also shared the video, but an analysis found its audio had been edited.

There is a clear mismatch between the supposed gunfire sounds and the visuals.

Despite continuous gunshots being heard in the clip, people in the crowd remain standing and continue to flash their phone torches. The audio also lacks the ambient noise expected in such a large gathering.

A reverse image search using keyframes from the clip led to clearer footage posted on JAAC's official X account on July 4, 2026 (archived link).

"Latest visuals from Rawalakot this morning," reads the caption, referring to the capital of the region's Poonch district.

No gunshots can be heard in the footage, with the crowd shown clapping and chanting slogans such as "Long live Kashmir" and "Facilitators, take note -- we will be your death".

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Screenshots of the falsely shared post (L) and JAAC's X post

Poonch Division Commissioner Sardar Waheed told AFP that the video with the sound of gunfire is "fabricated".

"There was no such incident," he said in a phone call on July 8.

The Directorate General Public Relations of Azad Jammu and Kashmir also denied the rumours in a statement issued on July 4 (archived link).

AFP has previously debunked misinformation about Kashmir.