Key Points
- Security forces ordered to arrest attackers
- Crackdown against banned JAAC intensified
- Intelligence-based operations expanded
- Government warns against violent agitation
MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government on Monday strongly condemned the killing of four law enforcement personnel in Rawalakot and vowed decisive action against those responsible, describing the incident as a “terrorist attack” allegedly carried out by the armed miscreants of the recently banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC).
The attack, which occurred on Sunday hours after the AJK Supreme Court endorsed the government’s position on the issue of refugee seats, ruling that the 12 reserved refugee seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly enjoy constitutional protection and cannot be altered through an administrative decision, has further heightened tensions across the region ahead of the July 27 general elections.
According to police officials, armed activists of the banned JAAC stormed a hospital in Rawalakot, opening fire on security personnel deployed at the facility. Four security personnel were killed, and around 20 others were injured in the assault.
The AJK government said the attack vindicated its decision to ban the Joint Awami Action Committee under anti-terrorism laws, arguing that the group had increasingly adopted confrontational tactics that threatened public order and security.
The government had declared the organisation proscribed on June 6, citing allegations that it was promoting unrest, intimidation and lawlessness in the region.
Prime Minister of AJK, Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, reiterated that the administration would not allow “mob rule” or violent attempts to influence constitutional and political processes.
Government officials maintained that while peaceful protest remains a democratic right, violence against state institutions and security personnel would be dealt with under the law.
Senior officials said security forces had been directed to identify and arrest those involved in the Rawalakot attack. Additional deployments were ordered in sensitive districts, while intelligence-based operations were being expanded to prevent further violence ahead of the JAAC’s planned protest activities.
Authorities have also continued a crackdown launched over the weekend, during which dozens of activists and supporters affiliated with the banned organisation were detained.
The government has sought to draw a direct connection between the latest violence and its longstanding concerns regarding the committee’s activities.
Officials argue that although negotiations over the group’s 38-point charter had led to acceptance of most demands, the committee continued agitation over a few unresolved political issues, including its demand to abolish 12 refugee seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees residing in Pakistan.
Government spokespersons also rejected what they termed the “narrative” being advanced by the banned organisation regarding recent events, insisting that law enforcement agencies had acted within the framework of the law and that state institutions would not permit armed groups or violent protesters to dictate constitutional matters.
The Rawalakot attack came on the same day the AJK Supreme Court issued an advisory opinion affirming that the refugee seats enjoy constitutional protection and cannot be altered through executive action or public pressure.
The court held that any change to the arrangement would require a constitutional amendment and stressed that elections must proceed within the constitutionally mandated timeframe.
Government officials said the court’s opinion had settled the legal controversy surrounding the refugee seats and accused elements within the banned organisation of attempting to create instability after failing to achieve their objectives through constitutional means.
They argued that the attack underscored the importance of maintaining public order in the run-up to elections.
Meanwhile, security has been tightened across several districts, particularly in Poonch Division and Muzaffarabad, where authorities fear further unrest.
