RAWALAKOT: Four law enforcement personnel were martyred and more than 20 police and security officials were injured after banned JAAC activists opened fire in Rawalakot, according to Azad Kashmir police.
A spokesperson for the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Inspector General of Police condemned the attack and said the group deliberately targeted law enforcement personnel.
Police said four members of law enforcement agencies lost their lives in the firing, while more than 20 police and security officials suffered injuries.
The incident comes just days after the AJK government declared the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) a banned organisation under anti-terrorism laws ahead of its planned protest on June 9.
The group has organised large demonstrations in the past over economic issues and political rights. Some of those protests turned violent and resulted in deaths during clashes with law enforcement in May 2024 and September 2025.
A day earlier, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry accused the banned JAAC of attempting to create instability despite the government’s acceptance of most of its demands.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad alongside AJK political leaders, the minister said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had formed a high-level committee to negotiate with the group. He added that a monitoring committee was also established to ensure implementation of agreed measures.
Chaudhry said the government had fulfilled all commitments made under its agreement with the committee. According to him, authorities compensated the families of those killed and injured during previous protests and withdrew 170 cases registered during demonstrations.
Despite these steps, he said, the banned JAAC had once again called for protests.
The minister also alleged that efforts were being made to disrupt free and fair elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. He added that constitutional matters, including the 12 refugee seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly, could not be changed without legislation.
