Mirpur/Rawalakot(Islamabad), 09 June (H.S.): Amid escalating tensions over political rights and representation in the legislative assembly in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), 12 people were killed in violent clashes on Monday between armed activists of the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) and law enforcement agencies (LEAs) in Rawalakot. The deceased included eight protesters and four security personnel. Protesters reportedly voiced anger against the Pakistan Army and, in particular, Army Chief General Asim Munir, chanting slogans accusing him of terrorism.

Poonch Commissioner Sardar Waheed Khan confirmed that a total of 12 people lost their lives in the confrontation, while dozens of security officials sustained injuries. According to him, armed members of the banned organization, equipped with modern weapons, launched attacks on security forces and attempted to disrupt law and order in the region. He stated that the administration and security agencies were taking all possible measures to safeguard the lives and property of civilians. He also urged residents to remain vigilant and avoid associating with disruptive elements. A police spokesperson said the situation was now under control, most highways had been reopened to traffic, and markets and commercial centres were functioning normally.

According to a spokesperson for the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Police, four security personnel were killed in the exchange of fire, while more than 20 police and security officers were injured. The incident occurred shortly after the AJK government declared JAAC a banned organization under anti-terrorism laws ahead of the protest planned for June 9.

JAAC has previously organized large-scale demonstrations over economic concerns and political rights. Similar protests in May 2024 and September 2025 also resulted in fatalities during confrontations with security forces. The police spokesperson said legal action against violent members of the banned organization was ongoing and that those responsible for creating unrest would soon be brought to justice. Authorities also appealed to the public not to participate in activities organized by the banned group or its affiliates and to rely only on information issued through official sources.

Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, alleged that despite the government accepting most of the group’s demands, JAAC was continuing efforts to destabilize the region. He said a high-level committee had been formed on the instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, which held talks with the group and implemented most points of the agreement. During operations aimed at maintaining peace in the Mirpur Division, police arrested 91 individuals allegedly linked to the banned organization. According to officials, weapons, sticks, and other materials were recovered from those detained.

According to media reports, the violence erupted after the Supreme Court of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir ruled that 12 assembly seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees residing in Pakistan are constitutionally protected and cannot be abolished without a constitutional amendment. The ruling came just before JAAC’s planned large-scale protest on June 9. The organization has long demanded the abolition of refugee-reserved seats and greater political rights for local residents, arguing that the political influence of refugee representatives is disproportionate.

Meanwhile, JAAC leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir, in a video message posted on social media platform X, alleged that security forces had initiated a “massacre” in Rawalakot. He called upon supporters to participate in the June 9 rally.

Separately, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry strongly reacted to comments made by certain Kashmiri diaspora groups based in the United Kingdom and by some British lawmakers. The Foreign Office stated that interference in the internal affairs of Pakistan and AJK would not be tolerated and emphasized that all parties should respect the law and democratic processes. It further noted that peaceful protest and freedom of expression are constitutional rights, but damage to public property, disruption of essential services such as hospitals, and the killing of innocent civilians and security personnel could not be justified under any circumstances.

Responding to a question during a press briefing on Tuesday, Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India had observed a continuing pattern of false narratives and fabricated videos originating from Pakistan. He described it as a desperate attempt to conceal failures and divert attention from human rights violations. Referring to reports from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, he said there were accounts of severe police brutality resulting in the deaths of several protesters and injuries to many others. He added that India expected the international community to hold Pakistan accountable for its actions and alleged abuses.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar