Four security personnel martyred in firing by banned JAAC activists in Rawalakot

RAWALAKOT: Four law enforcement personnel were martyred and more than 20 police and security officials were injured after activists of the banned Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) allegedly opened fire in Rawalakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) police said on Monday.

“The miscreants of the proscribed Action Committee deliberately targeted personnel,” a spokesperson for the AJK Inspector General of Police said while condemning the attack.

According to the spokesperson, four members of law enforcement agencies embraced martyrdom in the incident, while over 20 police and security personnel sustained injuries.

The incident comes days after the AJK government declared the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee 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 which turned violent and resulted in fatalities during clashes with law enforcement in May 2024 and September 2025.

Later, the IG Police spokesperson said miscreant elements had been dispersed and law and order had been restored in the affected areas.

According to the spokesperson, most highways have been reopened to traffic, while markets and commercial centres are functioning normally. Police and other law enforcement agencies are continuing to perform their duties to protect the lives and property of the public.

The spokesperson praised the efforts of police and security personnel, saying their services in establishing the writ of the state were commendable.

He added that funeral prayers for the personnel martyred in the line of duty would be offered with full state honours.

The spokesperson said legal action against armed and violent activists of the banned Action Committee was continuing and that those responsible for creating unrest, including the group’s leaders and workers, would soon be brought before the law.

He urged the public not to participate in activities organised by the banned committee or its affiliates and advised citizens not to pay attention to rumours or misleading propaganda.

The spokesperson said the public should rely only on information issued through official and verified government sources, adding that factual updates regarding the situation would continue to be shared regularly.

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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 negotiate with the group, while a monitoring committee had also been established to ensure implementation of the 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 these measures, he said, the banned group had once again called for protests.

Chaudhry also alleged that attempts were being made to disrupt free and fair elections in AJK, adding that constitutional matters, including the 12 refugee seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly, could not be altered without legislation.