AJK govt says JAAC sought to disrupt election process, warns against misinformation

Accuses group of attempt sabotage polls, vows to uphold state's writ

The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday accused the banned Awami Action Committee (JAAC) of attempting to sabotage the election process by violence and vowed that law enforcement agencies would maintain the writ of the state at all costs.

Addressing a press conference alongside Deputy Inspector General of Police Irfan Masood Kashfi, AJK Information Secretary Mohammad Rashid Hanif said the democratic process was continuing in Azad Kashmir through the ongoing elections and that the first phase had been successfully held in Mirpur Division.

He alleged that the banned JAAC had attempted to sabotage the election process, saying disruptive elements had tried to keep the public away from the polls. Still, the election results reflected the people's confidence in the democratic process.

Read: Bilawal calls on govt, protesters to form truth commission over AJK unrest

“The participation of the people is proof that they want all their issues to be resolved through the democratic process,” the information secretary said.

Hanif said that after the election process in Mirpur Division concluded, disruptive elements carried out activities in Rawalakot to influence the next phase of the elections.

“It is the state's fundamental responsibility to maintain law and order and to continue the democratic process. The state will not only fulfil this responsibility in every possible way but also has the full capacity to do so,” he added.

He further alleged that they had misled innocent people into joining their protest.

“We appeal to the public to distance themselves from these elements, and announcements will also be made by the government at the local level so that people can stay away from them, allowing the state to establish law and order, which is its responsibility,” he said, urging people not to believe or share information from unverified sources.

Hanif also alleged that the JAAC was using women and children as human shields to further its objectives.

He said videos circulating on social media were creating the impression that the movement was aimed at securing public rights, but claimed that was not the case.

Also Read: PML-N secures strong lead in AJK polls, wins 9 of 13 seats in Mirpur as unofficial results pour in

Speaking at the press conference, DIG Kashfi alleged that those spreading unrest under the guise of protest possessed sophisticated weapons and included armed elements inciting attacks on law enforcement agencies.

“Last night, one Rangers personnel was martyred in their firing, while five people, including an officer, were injured,” he said.

Kashfi said law enforcement agencies had exercised considerable restraint, but alleged that armed elements had now begun carrying out direct attacks. He further claimed that they initiated the firing, while security forces responded only in self-defence and to protect the public.

He alleged that the armed elements possessed modern weapons and resources, adding that investigations were also under way into those facilitating them.

“No one should be under the misconception that they can seize control of Rawalakot or any other area through the use of force. Law enforcement agencies will maintain the writ of the state at all costs,” the DIG said.

AJK PM urges public to stay away from agitators

AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore echoed the same and appealed to the public to stay away from the agitators, alleging that they were using civilians as human shields.

In a post on X, he accused the protesters of planning the unrest in advance.

They planned this for weeks and now they've got what they wanted: blood of innocent Kashmiris.

The rioters not only have sophisticated weapons, they have the advantage of access to all vantage points from where they take aim at security forces whose only objective has been to… pic.twitter.com/SjPYum5aFA

— Faisal Mumtaz Rathore (@PMofAJK) July 28, 2026

“They planned this for weeks and now they've got what they wanted: blood of innocent Kashmiris,” he wrote, adding that “the march to Muzaffarabad during elections was a conniving plan to trigger mass unrest.”

“The rioters not only have sophisticated weapons, they have the advantage of access to all vantage points from where they take aim at security forces whose only objective has been to contain the situation and prevent escalation,” he wrote.

The prime minister urged the people of AJK to stay away from what he described as agitators, alleging that they had a proven record of using civilians as human shields and creating a win-win situation for themselves whenever security personnel acted in self-defence.

Sanaullah links AJK violence to banned militant groups

Separately, leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) expressed concern over the violence in the region and called for action against those responsible especially the militants.

Speaking on the private television programme Capital Talk, PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah alleged that banned elements were behind the unrest.

Read More: HRCP calls for impartial, independent probe into reports of deaths in Rawalakot clashes

“There are trained members of banned and terrorist organisations in AJK who possess weapons. They have no political demands and no issue relating to public welfare,” he said.

“They want to use ordinary people as human shields to further their agenda. If law enforcement agencies have taken or will take action there, they have no other option to enforce the law,” Sanaullah added.

Speaking on the programme, PPP leader Nasir Hussain Shah said those responsible for spreading violence should be dealt with strictly, but innocent people and women who had been provoked into joining the protests should be protected.

“Action must certainly be taken against those who speak against the country or incite the public,” he said.

Fazl says 'Kashmir cause is being buried' amid AJK unrest

Meanwhile, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman condemned the firing and violence in the region, describing it as an act against the people of Kashmir.

In a statement, Fazl condemned what he described as security forces opening fire on unarmed civilians and termed it “open terrorism”.

کشمیری عوام پر فائرنگ اور تشدد کی مذمت کرتے ہیں ۔مولانا فضل الرحمان

طاقت کے نشے میں مدہوش قوتوں کی اپنی ہی نہتی عوام پر فائرنگ کھلی دہشت گردی ہے ۔مولانا فضل الرحمان

آج کشمیر کاز کو دفن کیا جا رہا ہے۔حکومتی پالیسیوں کیخلاف احتجاج عوام کا آئینی حق ہے۔ مولانا فضل الرحمان

کیا…

— Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam Pakistan (@juipakofficial) July 27, 2026

“Today, the Kashmir cause is being buried,” he said, adding that protesting against government policies was the constitutional right of the people.

“Are the people not even allowed to raise their voices for their rights?” he asked, adding that efforts had been made to prevent the situation from reaching this point and blaming state institutions for not taking the matter seriously.

He also claimed that the Kashmiri people had rejected the election results, noting that the JUI-F had failed to win a single seat in the region.

“How long will those demanding their rights continue to be labeled as foreign agents?” he asked, urging the state to immediately end what he described as oppression and allow the people to exercise their legitimate right to protest.

“We stand shoulder to shoulder with our Kashmiri brothers against this oppression and brutality. We pray that the martyrs attain the highest ranks and extend our condolences to the bereaved families,” he said.