Family says British man was killed by stray bullet during Kashmir unrest

A British national was killed during unrest in Pakistan-administered Kashmir on June 9, according to relatives who say he was struck by a stray bullet as security forces fired near a protest.

Mohammad Akhtar, 50, lived in Peterborough and was staying in Kotli, close to demonstrations calling for economic and electoral reforms. His cousin, Mohammad Saad, told the Guardian that Akhtar was not participating in the protest and suffered a gunshot wound to his chest.

The family said it was unable to register a police complaint in Kashmir and did not pursue the case with British authorities because of fears that relatives could be targeted. Pakistan's foreign ministry and high commission in London did not respond to the newspaper's requests for comment.

The United Kingdom's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said it was deeply concerned about conditions in parts of Pakistan-administered Kashmir. British travel advice was updated on August 7 and continued to advise against all but essential travel to affected areas.

The report also identified Waqas Arif, a 38-year-old British national from Nottingham, as being held in Mirpur since June 5. His family says he did not take part in the protests and has not been charged. A Foreign Office email to his wife said prison officials had reported that he was in good health, although British consular staff had not spoken with him directly.

The unrest has disrupted a three-phase regional vote that began on July 27. Authorities have accused the Joint Awami Action Committee, which organised demonstrations, of terrorism; the group says the government is suppressing dissent. Claims about responsibility for deaths during the protests remain contested.