Four personnel martyred as banned JAAC activists open fire in Rawalakot: police

• IG condemns attack on personnel.
• Officials say assault was preplanned.
• Protest group banned before rally.
  

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

“The miscreants of the proscribed Action Committee deliberately targeted personnel,” an Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Inspector General of Police spokesperson said while condemning the attack.

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

The incident comes days after the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (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 those protests turned violent and resulted in fatalities during clashes with law enforcement in May 2024 and September 2025.

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

The spokesperson said that most highways had been reopened to traffic, while markets and commercial centres were functioning as normal. Police and other law enforcement agencies were continuing to fulfil their responsibilities to protect the lives and property of the public.

The spokesperson praised the efforts of police and other law enforcement 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.

According to the spokesperson, legal action against armed and violent activists of the banned Action Committee was continuing. He said those responsible for spreading unrest, including the group's leaders and workers, would soon be brought before the law.

The spokesperson urged the public not to participate in any activities organised by the banned Action Committee or its affiliates.

He also advised citizens not to believe rumours or misleading propaganda and to rely only on information issued through official and verified government sources.

The spokesperson said factual updates regarding the situation would continue to be shared with the public on a regular basis.

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 hold negotiations with the group and that a monitoring committee had been formed to ensure implementation of 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 this, he said, the banned group had again called for protests.

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