The escalating violence in Pakistan-administered Kashmir has now affected the lives of British nationals, with one man killed and another imprisoned without charge. Some 40 people have been killed in the lead-up to the three-phase elections that culminated Monday, 10 August. One of the fatalities was identified as Mohammad Akhtar, 50, a resident of Peterborough.
According to Akhtar's family, security forces opened fire at a group of protesters on 9 June. The British national was hit by a stray bullet as he was staying in the city of Kotli, close to where the clash between protesters and authorities happened. 'He wasn't taking part in protests, but the demonstrations were happening close to his house,' Mohammed Saad, the victim's cousin, said.
