MUZAFFARABAD: Parts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) remained in the throes of a crippling shutter-down strike on Tuesday, punctuated by clashes between law enforcers and supporters of the recently proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC).
The AJK government issued orders to initiate sedition proceedings against two JAAC figures and also announced a Rs10 million reward for information leading to the arrest of four leaders of the group.
At the same time, AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore urged a return to the negotiating table in an effort to defuse tensions that have gripped the region over the past few days.
The clashes erupted when protesters from various areas of Mirpur division — including Mirpur, Bhimber, and Kotli districts — held rallies as part of the JAAC’s plan for a long march towards the neighbouring Poonch division en route to Muzaffarabad.
In Mirpur city, hundreds of people gathered outside the Quaid-i-Azam Cricket Stadium before marching towards the Plaak bridge, where they were reportedly joined by another rally from Dadyal, led by Khawaja Mehran Arshad at the Kotli district border.
On the outskirts of Mirpur, two policemen and several protesters were injured in a brief clash in Pind Sabharwal village, an official said.
However, the most serious violence was reported in Kotli city, after a procession of hundreds arrived from Khuiratta tehsil. Though officials remained tight-lipped, residents and members of the AJK cabinet, speaking on condition of anonymity, said several people — including a doctor and a woman — were killed and scores others wounded in the clashes.
According to initial reports, the doctor was on the roof of his house when he was struck by a stray bullet.
The ongoing strike and suspension of internet and mobile data services across the region have made it difficult to obtain real-time information from AJK.
Earlier in the day, a complete shutter-down strike was observed across all cities, towns, and villages of AJK. Even banks, medical stores, restaurants, and public transport remained shut, bringing normal life to a halt.
However, in some areas, motorcycles and a few private cars were occasionally seen moving without obstruction.
In Muzaffarabad — the intended destination of the protesters — riot police were deployed inside and outside government buildings and along major roads to handle any possible escalation. Despite this, the capital remained calm throughout Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the AJK legal fraternity boycotted court proceedings on the call of the AJK Bar Council to protest the alleged arrest of senior lawyer Amjad Ali Khan, a key member of the JAAC.
Action against JAAC leaders
The AJK government ordered the initiation of sedition proceedings against JAAC leaders Shaukat Nawaz Mir, a resident of Muzaffarabad, and Mehran Arshad Khawaja, a resident of Mirpur.
A notification issued by the AJK Home Department stated that both leaders were accused of committing “sedition through their speeches, written material, videos and audios.”
The government directed the Mirpur and Muzaffarabad senior superintendents of police (SSPs), under Section 196 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), to review the available evidence and material.
It further instructed the SSPs to register cases against Mir and Khawaja and submit charge-sheets to court after completing investigations.
The two men were also among four JAAC figures for whom a Rs10 million ‘head money’ reward was announced.
“The President of Azad Jammu & Kashmir has been pleased to fix Rs10 million reward money for any person providing information leading to the successful arrest of the following offenders belonging to the proscribed JAAC,” another notification said.
The individuals named include Shaukat Nawaz Mir, Umar Nazir Kashmiri, Khawaja Mehran Arshad, and Sardar Aman Khan.
Five held over ‘suspicious links’
According to the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), law enforcement agencies arrested five suspects in an intelligence-based operation, recovering laptops, mobile phones, and communication devices.
During interrogation, information provided by one detainee reportedly led to the recovery of a large cache of arms, including seven automatic weapons, multiple grenades, and other military hardware.
APP further reported that investigators have found evidence suggesting alleged contacts with hostile foreign intelligence agencies.
‘Find a way out’
In a post on X, AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore reiterated his call for resolving the crisis through dialogue.
“Please come back to the negotiating table. I’m requesting everyone daily to resolve matters through discussions instead of fire and blood,” he wrote.
He added that the protesters’ “abusive comments, constant threats and senseless agitation” were not helpful for AJK.
“A political activist without the ability to debate and negotiate is like a pilot without the ability to fly an airplane. Both end up causing harm,” he remarked.
“Everyone recognises your rights and liberties,” the AJK PM assured, stressing the need for calm and dialogue.
“The only weapon a political activist carries is reasoning and negotiation skills,” he added.
Rights bodies concerned
Human rights watchdog Amnesty International expressed concern over the violent crackdown on protests, including the internet shutdown, mass arrests, and reported use of lethal force, urging authorities to de-escalate the situation immediately.
Separately, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) said it was “deeply concerned by the escalating confrontation” in AJK and the reported loss of life among both protesters and law enforcement personnel.