Inside a Kashmir city gripped by deadly protests: 'My only son was shot'

The BBC gained rare access to Rawalakot, a city in Pakistan-administered Kashmir that has become the scene of violent clashes between security forces and protesters. Families in the city described losing loved ones in the unrest, including one mother who said her only son was shot while standing up for justice.

Residents say the protests erupted over grievances that have simmered for months, and that the response from security forces has left the city on edge. Local accounts describe tense stand-offs and sporadic violence continuing to disrupt daily life.

The unrest highlights long-standing tensions in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, where residents have periodically clashed with authorities over a range of economic and political grievances. Rights groups are calling for restraint and an independent accounting of the violence.