MUZAFFARABAD: Armed members of the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) used automatic weapons indiscriminately against law enforcement personnel during a road clearance operation in Kotli district of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the AJK Police said on Wednesday.
According to AJK police, the armed miscreants of the action committee opened fire on law enforcement officials at several locations during the operation to clear the Sarsawa-Taatraar Road in Kotli district and remove obstacles placed along the route.
The firing left Rangers soldier Sepoy Shah Nawaz martyred after he was hit in the chest, while Lance Naik Bilal sustained a serious shoulder injury, the police said. Sepoy Shah Nawaz belonged to Khairpur district of Sindh.
“The armed miscreants of the rioting group opened fire on the law enforcement officials, as a result of which Rangers personnel Sepoy Shah Nawaz was martyred by a bullet in the chest while Lance Naik Bilal was seriously injured by a bullet in the shoulder,” Azad Jammu and Kashmir Police said in a press release.
The AJK Police said the operation was launched after road closures disrupted normal life and caused severe transportation difficulties for local residents.
The AJK police said that in view of concerns of food shortage and the strong demand of the residents of the area, a clearance operation is underway to open the closed roads and restore the means of transportation.
During the operation, miscreants of the banned JAAC opened fire on the law enforcement officials at various places.
Police said personnel were removing the obstacles and restoring transport links despite repeated firing by members of the JAAC.
Despite the mischievous actions of the banned action committee and firing on the personnel of the law enforcement agencies, the clearance operation is continuing in full swing, Azad Jammu and Kashmir Police said.
The Azad Jammu and Kashmir Police said that the operation will continue until all obstacles are removed and the means of transportation are completely restored.
Security personnel are continuing efforts to restore road connectivity and facilitate the movement of residents and essential supplies, according to officials.
Experts described the use of modern weapons and explosives by the rioting group against security personnel as terrorism carried out as part of a planned campaign.
They said the unprecedented sacrifices of security forces are a testament to the fact that the establishment and protection of the state writ is indispensable at all times.
The experts also called for immediate, strict and indiscriminate legal action against armed groups involved in attacks on state institutions.
