Four policemen among six dead in AJK violence

At least four police personnel and two protesters were killed during violent clashes in Rawalakot on

MUZAFFARABAD: At least four police personnel and two protesters were killed during violent clashes in Rawalakot on Sunday, as tensions linked to the recently banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) escalated across Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Police officials said four officers lost their lives after an attack near the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Rawalakot. More than 20 policemen were also injured during the unrest. Authorities claimed the attackers used firearms and shotguns, describing the incident as a serious act of violence against law enforcement personnel.

The clashes were triggered by anger over the death of a local trader, who was allegedly shot during a confrontation with security personnel on Friday night. His family had initially planned to bury him on Saturday but later postponed the funeral and moved his body back to CMH Rawalakot.

Supporters of the deceased gathered outside the hospital and staged a sit-in. The protest continued for hours as demonstrators demanded justice and called for the withdrawal of the government’s decision to ban JAAC.

According to witnesses, tensions increased when police attempted to clear the area around the hospital. Riot police used tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd. Protesters responded by throwing stones and resisting the operation. The situation soon turned violent, resulting in deaths and injuries on both sides.

Family members of the deceased trader refused to proceed with the burial. They said they would continue their protest until the government withdrew the notification declaring JAAC a banned organisation. Protest leaders argued that the group’s members and supporters were being unfairly labelled.

Officials said the ongoing sit-in outside the hospital disrupted medical services and created difficulties for patients, visitors and hospital staff. Authorities claimed several attempts were made to persuade protesters to leave peacefully, but the efforts were unsuccessful.

The latest unrest comes amid growing controversy over JAAC’s demand to abolish 12 reserved refugee seats in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly ahead of the upcoming elections. The seats are allocated to refugees from Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir who settled in different parts of Pakistan after 1947.

JAAC has argued that these seats have often been used by mainstream political parties to influence the formation of governments in Muzaffarabad. Alongside political reforms, the group has also been demanding lower electricity prices, economic relief measures and free healthcare services.

Meanwhile, the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Supreme Court has stated that constitutional changes cannot be achieved through pressure or street protests. The court observed that any amendment to the constitution must follow the legal and democratic process laid down in the constitution and be approved by a fully empowered elected assembly after consultation and consensus.

The court’s observations were issued in response to a presidential reference seeking guidance on the constitutional status of the refugee seats and other related issues.

Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the government had already addressed most of the demands raised by JAAC. He stated that 35 out of the group’s 38 demands had been fulfilled and rejected claims that the government had ignored public concerns.