MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan, May 14, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Three people were killed
when paramilitary troops clashed with protesters in Pakistan's Kashmir region
on Monday, an official said, on the fourth day of demonstrations over rising
costs.

Thousands of people have rallied since Friday, with more than 10,000 turning
out on Monday despite government offers of financial support to the region.

The government sent paramilitary troops known as Rangers into the area on
Monday and the internet was largely shut down.

"Three protesters have been killed, all of whom were shot, and currently
there are eight reported injuries," said Nadeem Janjua, a government official
and deputy commissioner of Muzaffarabad, the capital of the region.

A doctor at the Combined Military Hospitals in the city earlier told AFP on
condition of anonymity that two people had died from gunshot wounds.

"Many Rangers were also injured but the data regarding that is yet to be
compiled," the doctor added.

Another doctor from the same hospital said: "One of the dead is a ninth grade
student around 16 or 17 years old, and the other is in his thirties."

The prime minister for the Kashmir region on Monday said a police officer was
also killed in the weekend violence and more than 100 injured, according to
the government.

Chaudhry Anwar ul Haq said a financial package of subsidies for electricity
and flour has been arranged.

Negotiations were ongoing, said Sardar Saqib Shaheen, a member of the Awami
Action Committee union which is behind the protests.

"Some demands were met and some were not," he told a press conference in
Islamabad.

Asim Tariq, a 27 year-old student from Gojra Bypass where clashes broke out,
said a tear gas shell entered his house.

"It affected my mother's health and I could not take her to the hospital due
to what was happening in the city. I was scared I might lose her."

"They should not have shot at the protesters. We were just asking for our
rights and got bullet shots in return," added Muhammad Qasim, a 37-year-old
shopkeeper.

The Himalayan region is divided between India and Pakistan, who both claim it
in full.

The neighbours have fought two of their three wars over the territory, which
is split by a de facto border known as the Line of Control.

Pakistani-administered Kashmir is a semi-autonomous region with its own
regional government.

The country has recently suffered through a major financial crisis which saw
imports blocked, inflation soar and the rupee plummet against the dollar.

However, inflation has steadily reduced and currency rate has stabilised,
with the help of an International Monetary Fund agreements.

A team from the global lender is due to visit Pakistan later this month for
talks on the latest deal.