Ex-AJK PM Sardar Ilyas alleges assassination attempt in Rawalakot

Alleges that JAAC is blocking roads and holding the AJK’s administrative system and ordinary citizens hostage

Former Azad Jammu and Kashmir prime minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas on Friday alleged that members of the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) attempted to assassinate him during an attack on his convoy in Rawalakot district.

Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) Azad Jammu and Kashmir

Ilyas said he was travelling to his constituency, LA-22 Poonch-V, when his convoy came under attack at Tain Dhalkot in Union Council Tain after entering AJK territory.

Former Special Services Group (SSG) commando Sardar Muhammad Asif was killed while shielding Ilyas during the attack. Several other members of the convoy were injured.

Ilyas alleged that those claiming there was a shortage of flour and other essential commodities in the region were themselves blocking roads and holding the AJK’s administrative system and ordinary citizens "hostage".

He said all efforts to resolve the situation through dialogue, mediation and negotiations had failed, alleging that those involved had chosen the path of "terrorism and lawlessness".

"What was the fault of Sardar Muhammad Asif, who was martyred on Friday?" Ilyas said, adding that Rangers, police and Frontier Corps personnel had also been sacrificing their lives in the fight against what he described as terrorists.

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He called for a decisive operation against those responsible for the attack, saying that if necessary, the army should also play its role. "Such elements cannot be tolerated in Rawalakot or any other part of AJK," he said.

Ilyas further warned that "stones will be answered with stones and bricks with bricks," adding that no leniency should be shown towards JAAC.

JAAC has not yet responded to the allegations.