AJK police say JAAC working under 'specific agenda'

Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Police spokesperson Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Khawar Ali Shaukat on Wednesday said the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) was operating under an "agenda" aimed at destabilising the region, accusing protesters of firing automatic weapons at security personnel from fortified positions inside buildings.

"This shows that the banned JAAC is working here according to an agenda, the purpose of which is to destroy peace in AJK, disrupt Kashmir's social fabric, and, at the same time, undermine the atmosphere of brotherhood and peace," said Shaukat during a press conference in Rawalakot.

SSP said that clashes had exposed the "false narrative" on social media portraying the movement as peaceful. "This is not a peaceful movement; it has become an armed group."

According to Shaukat, armed groups attacked security personnel deployed across different parts of Rawalakot to maintain law and order, prompting police to launch operations.

He said state institutions had "always tried to exercise restraint," but added that when "armed groups attack police and law enforcement agencies, it becomes our constitutional and legal responsibility to take action in accordance with the law."

Describing the violence over the past two days, the AJK police spokesperson said individuals had taken positions inside buildings before opening fire on security forces with what he described as modern weapons.

"You have seen how, over the last two days, they occupied buildings, established positions and opened fire on security forces and police personnel using modern weapons," he said.

Shaukat said the attacks resulted in the death of one Rangers official while approximately 15 police and other law enforcement personnel sustained injuries during the clashes.

Pointing to the scale of the violence, he said the use of heavy and automatic weapons showed those involved were "not an ordinary organisation." "Its links lead elsewhere," he added.