In Pakistan-administered Kashmir, the Government Post-Graduate College in Rawalakot has suffered financial and infrastructural losses amounting to millions of rupees following its occupation and control by Pakistani security forces—a move reportedly aimed at sabotaging a public movement.
According to an interim report submitted by the college principal to the Deputy Commissioner of Poonch District, the arrival of the forces led to the vandalism of college property, theft of equipment, and the suspension of academic operations. The estimated damage is currently valued at over 6 million (60 lakh) rupees.
The report states that security forces had been residing on the college premises since June 6, 2026. From July 27, 2026, onwards, the institution came under the complete control of the forces, and staff and faculty members were barred from entering. It was not until September 15 that the principal and staff were granted permission to enter—subject to specific conditions—for the purpose of an inspection.
Locks on the rooms of students and faculty residing in the hostels were broken. Items including bedding, clothing, kitchenware, gas cylinders, laptops, LED/LCD televisions, sound systems, cash, and other personal belongings were found to be missing.
Locks on the administration block, the library (which houses over 7,000 books), laboratories, and classrooms were also found broken. Equipment in the library and laboratories was left scattered, and two laptop computers were missing.
The college’s picturesque courtyard, lawns, and grassy areas have also sustained severe damage. The window of a college bus (GX021) parked in the lot was smashed; its battery and toolbox were removed, and the vehicle itself was ruthlessly used for transporting water.
In the report, the Principal revealed that over 1,000 wooden chairs—both new and old—along with other furniture, were burned to serve as fuel for cooking or heating.
All of the college’s CCTV cameras have been destroyed, and the hard drives and LCD monitors belonging to the security system are missing.
Concluding the report, the Principal expressed profound anguish and outrage, writing: “My heart weeps tears of blood as I pen this report. This institution—which the teachers and staff built into the most beautiful college in Azad Kashmir through their tireless dedication—now lies in ruins, and the future of the students has been cast into darkness.”
The Principal has urged that the security forces be immediately relocated to an alternative site so that the college’s academic environment can be restored.
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