MIRPUR/RAWALAKOT: Twelve people, including eight protesters and four security personnel, were killed during a violent clash between the armed members of the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) and law-enforcement agencies (LEAs) personnel in Rawalakot on Monday.
Commissioner Poonch Sardar Waheed Khan confirmed that 12 people had been killed while dozens of security officials sustained injuries. Sardar Waheed Khan said armed members of the banned organisation attacked the security forces’ personnel. He claimed that the miscreants were equipped with modern weapons and they attempted to disrupt law and order in the area.
The commissioner emphasised that the administration and law-enforcement agencies were taking all necessary measures to protect the citizens’ lives and property. He urged the public to remain vigilant and avoid associating with miscreants.
He further stated that the true face of disruptive elements had now been exposed and that all necessary steps were being taken to maintain peace and stability in the region.
Following the incident, strict security arrangements have been put in place across the area, and authorities are closely monitoring the situation. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the AJK Inspector General of Police confirmed that four law-enforcement personnel were martyred and more than 20 police and security officials injured in the clash.
According to the spokesperson, four members of law-enforcement agencies (LEAs) were martyred in the firing, while over 20 police and security personnel sustained injuries. The incident comes days after the AJK government declared the JAAC a proscribed organisation under anti-terrorism laws ahead of its planned protest on June 9.
The group has previously organised large-scale demonstrations over economic issues and political rights. Some of those protests turned violent and resulted in fatalities during clashes with the LEAs in May 2024 and September 2025. The spokesperson said miscreants had been dispersed and law and order restored in the affected areas. Most highways have been reopened to traffic, while markets and commercial centres are functioning as normal. Police and other law-enforcement agencies are fulfilling their responsibilities to protect the lives and property of the public.
The spokesperson praised the efforts of police and other law-enforcement personnel, saying their services in establishing the writ of the state were commendable. He added that the funeral prayers of the personnel martyred in the line of duty would be offered with full state honours.
According to the spokesperson, legal action against armed and violent activists of the banned action committee was continuing. He said those responsible for spreading unrest, including the group’s leaders and workers, would soon be brought before the law.
The spokesperson urged the public not to participate in any activities organised by the banned Action Committee or its affiliates. He also advised citizens not to believe rumours or misleading propaganda and to rely only on information issued through official and verified government sources.
The spokesperson said factual updates regarding the situation would continue to be shared with the public on a regular basis. Earlier on Sunday, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry accused the banned group of attempting to create instability despite the government having accepted most of its demands.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad alongside AJK political leaders, Chaudhry said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had constituted a high-level committee to hold negotiations with the group and that a monitoring committee had been formed to ensure implementation of agreed points.
The minister said the government had implemented all clauses of its agreement with the committee, fulfilled commitments made to the families of those martyred and injured during previous protests, and withdrawn 170 cases registered during demonstrations.
Despite this, he said, the banned group had again called for protests. Chaudhry also alleged that efforts were being made to disrupt free and fair elections in AJK, adding that constitutional matters such as the 12 refugee seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly could not be altered without legislation.
Syed Abid Hussain from Mirpur adds: Law-enforcement agencies have detained 91 people suspected of having links with a banned organisation during a major crackdown aimed at maintaining peace and public order across the Mirpur Division, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Kamran Ali said on Monday.
A significant quantity of weapons, sticks, and other equipment was recovered from the possession of suspects. Kamran said protecting the lives and property of citizens remained the foremost priority of the state and law-enforcement agencies.
Mariana Baabar from Islamabad adds: The Foreign Office on Monday issued a sharp warning to the members of the UK-based diaspora and certain members of the British Parliament, calling their remarks and queries on the unrest in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) ‘irresponsible, ill-informed and unwarranted.’
The strong rebuke came after violent clashes in Rawalakot last week leaving four law-enforcement personnel dead and over 20 others injured, following the AJK government’s decision to proscribe the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) under anti-terrorism laws.
“We have noted with concern the irresponsible and ill-informed insinuations made by certain members of the diaspora in the UK regarding Azad Jammu and Kashmir. These individuals are advised to refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. They would do well to contribute positively to their country of residence,” said the Foreign Office.
The Foreign Office also pointed out that it had noted with concern, what it said, unwarranted remarks and queries raised by certain British MPs, reflecting a lack of awareness and disregard for the historical background of the issue.
“For those still living in colonial times, it bears reiterating that Pakistan is a sovereign and democratic republic that firmly believes in non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries and expects the same from others,” was a reminder from Pakistan.
The Foreign Office also urged the British government to educate and caution those supporting proscribed organisations to refrain from such actions and to respect the democratic process, judicial decisions and the rule of law as enshrined in the Constitutions of the AJK and Pakistan.
“The Governments of Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir fully recognise and respect the constitutional rights of citizens to peaceful assembly, freedom of expression and democratic participation. However, vandalism, destruction of public services, including hospitals, and murder of innocent civilians and law-enforcement officials cannot be permitted under any circumstances,” added the Foreign Office.
Amid the ongoing unrest in the valley, the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Election Commission on Monday issued a code of conduct for the general elections 2026, banning all appointments, transfers, and creation of new posts in government departments.
According to a press release issued by the Election Commission spokesperson, prior approval from the AJK Election Commission will be required in cases of unavoidable necessity. The code of conduct prohibits ministers and members of the Legislative Assembly from distributing government funds, including development funds, Zakat funds, Social Action Plan funds, and Bait-ul-Mal funds. They will also be barred from distributing government-owned materials such as electricity poles, pipes, commercial and construction timber, and trees from state forests.
The launch of new development schemes across Azad Kashmir has also been prohibited. However, routine development projects may continue through the relevant government departments and their employees.
The Election Commission has further directed that no candidate or supporter shall inaugurate any development project during the election period. Moreover, except for personnel assigned to maintain law and order, no government employee will be allowed to participate in political rallies, public gatherings, or organize such events.
The use of government resources, including official vehicles, has also been strictly prohibited for election-related activities. The press release further states that all allotments and lease-related activities by the Board of Revenue and development authorities, including the Mangla Dam Housing Authority, have been suspended until further notice. The Election Commission warned that any violation of the code of conduct, or any complaint supported by credible evidence, will result in disciplinary action.
