The United Nations yesterday called for impartial investigations into dozens of reported deaths that have occurred in Pakistan-administered Kashmir,  a wave of unrest ahead of regional elections.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk “appeals for calm in Pakistan-administered Kashmir”, his spokesman Jeremy Laurence told reporters in Geneva.

The call, he said, came after dozens of people, mostly protesters but also some law enforcement personnel, have reportedly been killed since June ahead of a vote for the region’s legislative assembly on July 27.

Turk wants “prompt, thorough and impartial investigations into all deaths that have occurred due to the unrest, both amongst protesters and members of security forces”, Laurence added.

Supporters of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), an anti-government movement demanding economic and governance reforms, have been pressing ahead with protests despite the group being banned.