MUZAFFARABAD (MNN); At least seven civilians were killed during violent clashes between police and supporters of the recently proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) in Rawalakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), officials confirmed on Monday.
Poonch Commissioner Sardar Waheed Khan told media that seven civilians lost their lives in Sunday’s confrontation, which also resulted in the martyrdom of four law enforcement personnel.
The commissioner and AJK Inspector General of Police Liaqat Ali Malik said that 30 individuals were taken into custody late Sunday in connection with the unrest. They added that 23 police officers sustained injuries during the clashes.
The violence erupted amid growing tensions following the death of a local trader, who was allegedly shot during a confrontation with law enforcement personnel on Friday night.
According to officials, the trader’s family initially planned to hold his funeral on Saturday but later decided to return the body to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Rawalakot for a possible post-mortem examination. The funeral was subsequently postponed until Sunday.
The body was placed in the hospital mortuary, although a post-mortem examination was not conducted. Meanwhile, dozens of protesters continued a sit-in outside the hospital.
Witnesses said tensions escalated when police attempted to disperse the demonstrators gathered outside CMH. Protesters confronted the police contingent, prompting riot police to use batons and tear gas to break up the gathering.
The demonstrators responded by pelting police with stones, further intensifying the confrontation.
The deceased trader’s family declared that they would not proceed with burial arrangements until the government withdrew the notification declaring JAAC a banned organisation.
Authorities have also accused protesters of attacking the Combined Military Hospital during the unrest.
The latest violence comes amid a worsening political crisis in AJK following the government’s decision to declare JAAC a proscribed organisation.
The group has been campaigning for the abolition of 12 seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly reserved for refugees from Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir who migrated to Pakistan after 1947.
JAAC argues that the reserved seats have frequently been used by major political parties to influence government formation in Muzaffarabad.
On Friday, the AJK government formally declared JAAC a banned organisation, alleging that it was involved in activities detrimental to public peace and state security.
A day later, authorities launched a large-scale crackdown, arresting numerous JAAC leaders and activists across different parts of the region.
Police also sealed the organisation’s central office as part of the ongoing operation.
The security situation has further affected communications across AJK, with mobile internet services remaining suspended in many areas.
Authorities have advised tourists and other visitors to postpone travel plans to the region until June 20 due to security concerns linked to the planned protests.
To strengthen security arrangements, the federal government has also deployed additional paramilitary forces to support local police in maintaining law and order.
