A.J.KASHMIR: In a series of violent incidents in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, one security officer lost his life and at least eleven others were wounded as authorities attempted to restore order and reopen blocked roads on Tuesday.
According to security officials, armed supporters of the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) opened fire on civilians and security forces during operations in Rawalakot and Kotli-Tatarkhel. The clashes marked a continuation of ongoing unrest in the region.
The first attack took place near the Matial Mira bus terminal in Rawalakot early in the day. Officials reported that gunmen fired indiscriminately near a populated area before targeting police personnel responding to the scene. Security reinforcements, including Rangers personnel, arrived to assist law enforcement but were also fired upon with sophisticated weapons.
During the attack, Rangers official Naik Imtiyaz Ali was martyred in the line of duty.
In another operation in Baloch Bazaar, authorities moved in to dismantle illegal barricades erected by armed groups blocking the main Kotli-Tatarkhel highway. The blockade had halted public transportation and impeded the flow of essential goods, including food supplies.
While attempting to clear the road, security forces faced gunfire and resistance, resulting in injuries to eleven personnel. The operation continues with the goal of reopening the route and restoring normalcy for residents and supply chains.
Security experts highlighted the use of advanced weaponry and explosives, suggesting these incidents were planned and organized acts of violence. They have called for stringent legal action against those responsible for targeting security personnel and government institutions.
This escalation follows weeks of tension and clashes involving JAAC supporters. The Azad Kashmir government had banned the group in June, citing threats to public order. JAAC had been campaigning against reserved seats for Kashmiri refugees and demanding broader political and economic reforms.
Previous violence in Rawalakot in June resulted in casualties among civilians and law enforcement, with authorities accusing armed supporters of attacking security forces, while the group claimed security forces had fired on peaceful protesters.
Since then, authorities have detained suspects, restricted internet access, and closed roads across the region amid ongoing tensions, with both sides exchanging accusations over responsibility for the unrest.
