Protests in Muzaffarabad over killing of 10-year-old Shayan Azhar

Protests have been held in Muzaffarabad over the killing of a 10-year-old boy, Shayan Azhar, according to the Indian broadcaster News18, which reported the demonstrations alongside a wider dispute over human rights in Azad Kashmir.

The News18 report, carried under the headline "Muzaffarabad Protests Over 10-Year-Old Shayan Azhar's Killing", did not state when the boy was killed, the circumstances of his death, or who is accused in the case. The full text of the report could not be retrieved, and the account rested on the headline and summary carried in news feeds.

No statement from the Azad Kashmir government, the Muzaffarabad district administration or the local police about the killing or about the demonstrations was available when this story was filed. It was not confirmed how many people took part in the protests, whether anyone was detained, or whether the boy's family has lodged a police complaint.

The only other outlet carrying the item, Journalism Pakistan, published a general article asking what rights journalists have when covering protests in Asia, rather than a report on the Muzaffarabad events. It carried no additional detail on the killing.

Muzaffarabad is the capital of Azad Kashmir, which is administered by Pakistan and has its own legislative assembly, government and courts. Criminal cases in the territory are handled by its own police and prosecuted before its courts.

News18 presented the events under its own framing of the territory. This newspaper refers to the area as Azad Kashmir and has reported only the facts the outlet carried.

This newspaper could not independently verify the account, and readers should treat the details of the demonstrations as reported by News18 and not as confirmed by Pakistani authorities.

Skardu Times has sought comment from Muzaffarabad police and the Azad Kashmir government and will update this report if statements are issued.