JAAC accused of 'abducting' eight police personnel

Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Police spokesperson Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Khawar Ali Shaukat on Thursday said the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) had abducted eight highway police personnel deployed during election duty and warned its leadership against challenging the writ of the state, saying "the state will show no leniency" towards them.

"To ensure the elections remained peaceful, security forces were deployed for election duty. However, they were not only attacked by JAAC members, but eight highway police personnel were also abducted. Those personnel were tortured and remain in JAAC's custody," said Shaukat while addressing a press conference in Rawalakot.

AJK police spokesperson further warned that if the personnel were harmed in any way, or threats against their families continued, "the state will show no leniency towards you", saying "decisive and the harshest possible action" would be taken against those elements.

"I ask the JAAC leaders to immediately release the personnel safely. We will not accept any pressure when it comes to the lives and safety of our security personnel. If those personnel are harmed in any way, if their release is hindered in any way, or if threats against their families continue, then the state will show no leniency."

He said the authorities would ensure that the writ of the state, public safety and the rule of law were maintained under all circumstances.

"The state will not accept any pressure whatsoever when it comes to the lives and safety of these personnel. If the writ of the state is challenged, state institutions' personnel are subjected to violence, attacked or abducted, or an attempt is made to paralyse the state system, the state will fully fulfil its responsibility through legal and constitutional means," said Shaukat.

He also displayed pictures of the eight allegedly abducted personnel during the press conference.

He said the violent actions and objectives of the banned group had been rejected by the public and, "By participating in the elections, the people have made it clear that they have no connection with the banned JAAC," he added.