72 held in AJK attack as government defends JAAC ban

Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) police on Saturday said they had arrested around 72 people allegedly associated with the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) in operations conducted over the past 18 hours, a day after the government banned the organization under anti-terrorism laws.

The development came after the AJK government banned JAAC, accusing it of being involved in terrorism, promoting hatred and creating anarchy in the state ahead of a protest announced on June 9.

In a statement, the AJK Police said the arrests were made as part of efforts to maintain law and order and protect lives and property of citizens.

Read: AJK govt bans Joint Awami Action Committee as tensions rise ahead of June 9 protest call

Police claimed that weapons, communication equipment and suspicious documents had been recovered during the operation. Authorities also claimed to have seized material related to plans that could affect public order, as well as evidence allegedly indicating organized protests and patterns of violent activity.

The statement further claimed that the investigators had found indications of suspected contacts with foreign persons and that the investigation of the recovered material was continuing.

According to the police, preliminary evidence indicated that certain elements planned to disrupt public order, damage public and private property, influence the electoral process and incite hostility against state institutions through what it described as unconstitutional and violent agitation.

Law enforcement authorities examined the recovered material, digital evidence and other information in accordance with legal requirements, the statement added.

The inspector general of police said the state respected peaceful expression, constitutional demands and lawful protests.

“However, no individual or group will be allowed to engage in violence, incitement, use of weapons, roadblocks, damage to public property or disruption of citizens’ daily lives,” the police chief said.

The statement said all those arrested will be subject to investigation and prosecution under the relevant laws.

Police appealed to the public to remain calm and urged citizens to avoid rumors and inflammatory content, cooperate with law enforcement agencies and stay away from sensitive locations and illegal gatherings.

Reaffirming its commitment to maintain law and order, the police said all roads and markets across the state remained open.

“No attempt to disturb the peace, promote violence or incite people to unconstitutional activities will be allowed to succeed,” the statement said.

AJK PM defends ban

Meanwhile, AJK Chief Minister Chaudhry Faisal Mumtaz Rathore defended the decision to ban JAAC and said the move had become inevitable considering the evolving situation in the state.

Speaking to a private television channel, Rathore said progress had been made on most of the points agreed between the government and the committee.

Referring to negotiations with JAAC, he said that out of 38 points, some of the 37 agreed points had already been implemented while others were partially fulfilled.

“If you think that the abolition of these seats in the state is crucial and a consensus needs to be built on the issue, then give us five to seven more days. But they did not give us that time,” he said.

The Prime Minister said that the situation developing in the state was creating hardship for common citizens and the government could not allow matters to descend into chaos.

“Given the direction in which the situation was moving, a ban on JAAC had to be imposed,” he said.

Asked if the elections scheduled for the 27th would be held on time, Rathore said they should go ahead as planned.

“We want to ensure that the environment that has arisen does not persist. All political parties, as well as the public, should show responsibility,” he said.

Referring to previous negotiations, the prime minister said an agreement had been worked out after the last round of negotiations broke down, but collapsed on the signing of a single issue.

“When our last negotiations broke down, an agreement was written on the table. When it was about to be signed, it collapsed over a point. Then 13 lives were lost, and then the same agreement was finally reached. It could have happened earlier too,” he said.

Responding to a question about possible Indian involvement in the unrest, Rathore said that whether or not India was directly involved, instability in the state would benefit New Delhi.

“Whether India is involved or not, when disorder is created in the state in the name of rights, the biggest benefit goes to India. We have seen this in the past and we are seeing it today,” he said.

“At such a time, in my opinion, it is not appropriate for either Pakistan or Kashmir to give space to India to exploit the situation and strengthen its narrative on Kashmir,” he added.

Rathore warns against chaos, anarchy

Later, in a post on X, Rathore warned against anarchy and unrest, saying the state had the right to intervene against lawlessness, while condemning violence “whether in the name of authority or protest”.

He said recent statements by leaders of a banned group had indicated a tendency to “create mass mayhem as seen in the past”.

“We condemn violence, be it in the name of authority or protest. But every state has the right to intervene against lawlessness and anarchy,” he wrote.

The prime minister added that there was no justification for threats against state institutions, claiming that the banned group had repeatedly used such tactics even while negotiations were underway.

“I had repeatedly asked them to show some leniency in negotiations and talks as our powers to play an effective role would be limited after the announcement of the election schedule,” he said.

He said the group’s “stubbornness and determination to overpower the state machinery” had prevented any reasonable outcome.

“Now they blame everyone but themselves, even though they are the only ones to blame,” he added.

He also criticized abusive language directed at him on social media, saying it reflected the group’s approach to resolving differences.

“Their coarse language during my submissions reflects their general approach to resolving differences. This could never succeed,” he said.

JAAC denies allegations

Separately, JAAC leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir painted a completely different picture of the situation.

In a statement, he said internet services had been shut down across the region and raids were being carried out to arrest members of the Action Committee.

Mir alleged that committee member Umar Nazir in Rawalakot had been attacked and another activist, Shazib Habib, had been killed.

“Our morale is high and our resolve is stronger than ever before. This state belongs to us and its protection is also our responsibility,” he said.

He said a formal announcement on the future course of action would be made after consultations after Habib’s funeral prayers and reiterated that the planned long march would continue.

“The long march will be carried out with full force. Our movement is completely peaceful and our demands are just and popular,” he said.

Mir urged supporters to avoid damaging public or private property.

“All comrades should refrain from any action that may cause damage to the government or private property. Our goal is construction, reform and the attainment of rights – not damage and chaos,” he said.

Appealing to Kashmiris abroad and human rights organizations, he said, “We are earnestly appealing to our Kashmiri brothers around the world and to human rights organizations to become our voice and highlight this situation on the global stage.”

He also urged followers not to spread unverified information.

“Fake news is being spread about the arrest of core members. The public is requested not to believe unconfirmed news and refrain from spreading rumours,” he said, adding that supporters should avoid abusive language and uphold the traditions and values ​​of Kashmiri society.

Internet disruption, political reaction

Internet services remained disrupted in parts of AJK following JAAC’s call for protests on June 9.

According to NetBlocks, measurements showed a major disruption of the internet connection in AJK.

The ban on the group also drew criticism from several political figures.

Former senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed described the move as a “wrong decision at the wrong time” in a post on X, saying it repeated previous mistakes in handling dissent and questioned the use of anti-terror laws against political opponents.

Former senator Afrasiab Khattak called the ban “a gross violation of all the fundamental rights of the constitution”.

In a post on X, he said, “Banning the Jammu Kashmir Awami Action Committee, a non-violent voice of the people, during the anti-terror act is a gross violation of all the fundamental rights of the Constitution.”

The leader of the Haqooq-i-Khalq Party, Ammar Ali Jan, also criticized the decision, arguing that repression during elections would increase anger and instability.