PoK on the boil: Polls, a deadly crackdown by Pakistani forces and a region in turmoil

Pakistan's legislative assembly elections in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK) are taking place under an unprecedented security blanket, with thousands of police, paramilitary personnel and around 2,100 army troops deployed across the region. But rather than projecting stability, the polls have been overshadowed by weeks of protests, allegations of rigging, political boycotts and international concern over the treatment of demonstrators.The election comes after nearly two months of unrest that has left dozens dead, hundreds injured and sparked widespread criticism of Islamabad's handling of the region.Polling for the 45 directly elected seats of the 53-member assembly is being conducted in three phases, with the first round covering 13 constituencies in Mirpur division.