More than 50 British lawmakers have signed a letter calling for diplomatic intervention as Pakistani security forces crack down on protesters in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, leaving 11 dead and over 70 injured.

Markets shut, protests widen

The situation across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir remains volatile. Markets in Muzaffarabad stayed closed on Tuesday, with shutdowns continuing in Bhimbar and Kotli. Hundreds of protesters have taken to the streets, defying a government crackdown on the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), the anti-government group leading the agitation.

Local sources said tear gas was fired at demonstrators following fresh clashes with JAAC workers. The unrest has triggered a communications blackout, making it difficult to verify ground-level developments independently.

Diplomatic pressure builds

Imran Hussain, the UK MP who chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Kashmir, confirmed that over 50 lawmakers have backed a letter to the British Foreign Office. The MPs expressed concern over arrests, internet and mobile service disruptions, and the deteriorating situation in the region.

"The letter urges the British government to take diplomatic action," Hussain said. British Kashmiris, according to the June 6 letter, have been unable to contact relatives in PoJK amid the blackout.

What India said

New Delhi did not hold back. On Tuesday, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal accused Pakistan of circulating "fake news and videos" to divert attention from alleged human rights abuses in PoK. He expressed concern over reports of police brutality and said the international community must hold Pakistan accountable.

India has consistently maintained that territories under Pakistan's illegal occupation remain an integral part of Jammu and Kashmir.

11 dead, over 70 injured

The casualty figures tell a grim story. Seven civilians and four police personnel have been killed, officials said. More than 70 others have been injured in clashes between protesters and security forces.

Violence escalated after JAAC activists gathered outside a hospital morgue to protest the alleged killing of a member in police firing. Rawalakot Commissioner Sardar Waheed Khan told Reuters that four police officers and a passer-by died after protesters opened fire. Six protesters were killed in the subsequent security response.

Police have described the incident as a terrorist act, claiming JAAC-linked individuals used shotguns and other weapons. The regional government banned JAAC on June 5 under anti-terrorism laws and launched a crackdown on its supporters.

What's behind the PoK unrest?

Despite government claims that most of JAAC's 38 demands have been accepted, the group continues its agitation. Key demands include the abolition of 12 reserved assembly seats, along with broader economic and governance reforms.

Former Jammu and Kashmir DGP Shesh Paul Vaid accused Pakistani security forces of using excessive force against civilians. "The unrest reflects growing public dissatisfaction in PoJK," he said, arguing that protesters seeking their rights are being met with force instead of dialogue.

The coming days will determine whether diplomatic pressure mounts or the protests spread further.

MEA Dismisses 'Trashy Ruminations' as PM Modi's Name Surfaces in Epstein Files

India's foreign ministry has issued a sharp rebuttal after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's name was referenced in the massive new release of documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, labeling the claims as "trashy ruminations by a convicted criminal".

The controversy erupted following the U.S. Department of Justice's release of 3.5 million pages of records under the Epstein Files Transparency Act on January 30, 2026. The documents included an email where Epstein claimed the Indian PM followed his advice during a 2017 visit to Israel, prompting a fierce political clash in New Delhi.

The MEA's Forceful Rejection

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) moved swiftly to address the reference, confirming only the factual occurrence of the Prime Minister's landmark Israel visit in July 2017—the first by an Indian PM. In an official statement, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal dismissed all other insinuations in the email with "the utmost contempt".

"The rest of the allusions in the email are little more than trashy ruminations by a convicted criminal," the statement read. The government's response aimed to shut down what it framed as a baseless narrative rooted in the claims of a disgraced individual.

 The Allegation and Political Fallout

The specific email cited by opposition leaders was sent by Epstein on July 6, 2017—the final day of PM Modi's Israel trip. In it, Epstein wrote, "The Indian Prime Minister Modi took advice and danced and sang in Israel for the benefit of the US president. They had met a few weeks ago.. it worked !".

The Congress party seized on the reference, with spokesperson Pawan Khera calling it a "matter of national shame" and demanding the Prime Minister personally answer three questions about the nature of the alleged advice and what "worked".

The BJP retaliated fiercely, accusing the Congress of fraud. Party spokesperson Sambit Patra alleged the opposition had deceptively edited the email, inserting the word "his" to falsely construct a phrase claiming Modi took "his advice" from Epstein.

Beyond the 2017 Email: Other India References

The tranche of documents contained more than a dozen emails and messages referencing India. They included:

A 2014 email from current Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri to Epstein, written before Puri joined the government, detailing strategic reasons for engaging with India post-Modi's election.

May 2019 emails from Epstein to Trump strategist Steve Bannon and Indian businessman Anil Ambani. Epstein suggested arranging a meeting between Bannon and Modi, claiming the Prime Minister was "on board" with certain ideas and discussing China and Pakistan as strategic concerns.

A Global Scandal's Latest Ripple

The U.S. DoJ's release is the largest under the transparency act and includes emails linking Epstein to a global network of politicians, celebrities, and billionaires. The files mention hundreds of names, including former U.S. President Donald Trump, Britain's Prince Andrew, and entrepreneur Elon Musk, highlighting the financier's relentless pursuit of high-profile connections.

Legal representatives for Epstein's victims have criticized the release for inadequately protecting survivors' identities, with lawyer Gloria Allred stating the DoJ "should be ashamed of themselves".

Key Allegations and Official Responses

| Aspect | Detail | Source / Response |

| Core Allegation | Epstein email claims PM Modi "took advice" and performed in Israel for the benefit of the US President in July 2017. | U.S. DoJ Released Files |

| MEA's Response | Dismisses claims as "trashy ruminations by a convicted criminal," confirms only the official visit occurred. | Official MEA Statement |

| Political Reaction | Congress demands PM's explanation; BJP accuses Congress of editing emails and committing fraud. | Political Statements |

| Other India Links | Emails show 2014 contact from Hardeep Puri and 2019 messages to Steve Bannon & Anil Ambani referencing Modi. | Document References |

| Global Context | Files detail Epstein's connections to Trump, Prince Andrew, Bill Gates, Elon Musk, and other global figures. | BBC Analysis |

Why This Matters Now

The timing of the controversy is significant on two fronts. First, it demonstrates the continuing global ripple effects of the Epstein case, revealing how his influence operations attempted to touch virtually every sphere of power. Second, it injects a volatile element into India's domestic politics, with the opposition seeking accountability and the government vehemently defending the Prime Minister's integrity.

As of now, the MEA's unequivocal dismissal stands as the government's final word on the matter. With the Prime Minister scheduled for a second visit to Israel in February 2026, the diplomatic significance of the relationship remains, even as the political storm over the past visit continues to brew at home.