MUZAFFARABAD: A forensic examination of the mobile phone of an arrested activist of the banned Joint Awami Action Committee has revealed contacts with Indian intelligence agencies, sources said.
The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) affiliated activist, identified as Bilal, was arrested in Rawalakot city of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and is currently in police custody.
According to sources, forensic analysis of Bilal’s mobile phone revealed connections with Indian intelligence agencies.
The analysis of JAAC activist Bilal’s WhatsApp communications shows that he was receiving direct instructions from an individual identified as “Col Kumar”, directing efforts to create unrest in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the sources said.
The communications further suggest coordination of activities aimed at destabilising law and order in the region, sources said.
The suspect was also offered Rs 500,000 for each police official targeted and killed, the sources claimed.
Meanwhile, the Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir has announced a reward of Rs 10 million for information leading to the arrest of four wanted individuals linked to the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC).
The reward list includes Shaukat Nawaz Mir, Umar Nazir Kashmiri, Khawaja Mehran Arshad and Sardar Aman Khan.
According to the official notification, Rs 10 million will be awarded to any person providing information leading to the arrest of these wanted individuals linked to the banned JAAC.
The government said the identity informant of the persons who share information will be kept strictly confidential.
The Home Department has directed the Inspector General of Police of AJK to ensure the immediate implementation of the reward scheme.
Meanwhile, a senior member of the banned Joint Awami Action Committee, Syed Faisal Gilani, announced complete dissociation from the banned group.
Gilani strongly condemned the violent attacks carried out by the Joint Awami Action Committee in Rawalakot.
Reacting to the unrest, he said: “The banned Joint Awami Action Committee is shedding the blood of innocent citizens.”
He added that, in view of the group’s violent activities, he was announcing his dissociation from it.
“We had joined the banned Joint Awami Action Committee for public interest, but unfortunately, it has deviated from its original path,” Gilani said.
He further said that the people of Azad Kashmir were rejecting the group’s violent narrative and demonstrating that they were “conscious citizens”.
The AJK government has intensified action against the banned JAAC following its proscription under anti-terrorism laws.
