Sedition cases, bounties ordered against JAAC leaders

MUZAFFARABAD: A shutdown strike continued across parts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Tuesday as clashes broke out between law enforcers and supporters of the recently banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), while the regional government ordered sedition proceedings against two of the group’s leaders and announced a Rs10 million reward for information leading to the arrest of four JAAC figures.

The unrest unfolded as protesters from different parts of Mirpur division — including Mirpur, Bhimber and Kotli districts — came out in rallies under the JAAC’s call for a long march toward Poonch division and onward to Muzaffarabad. In Mirpur, hundreds assembled outside Quaid-i-Azam Cricket Stadium before marching toward Plaak bridge, where another rally from Dadyal led by Khawaja Mehran Arshad joined them near the Kotli district border.

An official said two policemen and some protesters were injured in a brief clash in Pind Sabharwal village on the outskirts of Mirpur. The most serious fighting, however, was reported in Kotli city after a procession of hundreds reached there from Khuiratta tehsil. While officials did not publicly confirm casualties, residents and members of the AJK cabinet told Dawn on condition of anonymity that several people were feared dead, including a doctor and a woman, and that scores of others were injured. Initial reports said the doctor was on the roof of his home when he was struck by a stray bullet.

The strike also coincided with the continued suspension of internet and mobile data services in the region, making it difficult to verify developments in real time. Across AJK, markets, towns and villages observed a complete shutter-down. Banks, medical stores and eateries also remained closed, and both public and private transport stayed off the roads, though motorcycles and a small number of private vehicles were seen in some places.

In Muzaffarabad, where protesters were expected to head, riot police were deployed in and around government buildings and on major roads, though the capital remained calm through the day. The legal community in AJK also stayed away from court proceedings after the AJK Bar Council called for a boycott over the alleged arrest of senior lawyer Amjad Ali Khan, described as a core JAAC member.

Government action against JAAC leaders

The AJK Home Department issued orders to start sedition proceedings against JAAC leaders Shaukat Nawaz Mir of Muzaffarabad and Mehran Arshad Khawaja of Mirpur. According to an official notification, both were accused of committing sedition through speeches and through written, video and audio material.

The government directed the senior superintendents of police in Mirpur and Muzaffarabad under Section 196 of the Code of Criminal Procedure to examine the available record and material, register cases against the two men and submit charge sheets in court after completing the investigation.

Mir and Khawaja were also among four JAAC figures for whom reward money was announced. The others named were Umar Nazir Kashmiri and Sardar Aman Khan.

“The president of Azad Jammu & Kashmir has been pleased to fix Rs10m reward money to be granted to any person who provides information leading to the successful arrest of the following offenders belonging to the proscribed JAAC,” the notification stated.

Arrests over alleged foreign links

Separately, the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan reported that law enforcement agencies arrested five suspects during an intelligence-based operation and seized laptops, mobile phones and other communication equipment.

According to APP, information obtained during the interrogation of one detainee led to the recovery of a large cache of weapons, including seven automatic firearms, grenades and other military hardware. APP further reported that investigators had found evidence suggesting alleged contacts with hostile foreign intelligence agencies.

AJK premier urges talks

Amid the escalating tensions, AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore called for renewed dialogue and urged all sides to step back from confrontation. In a post on X, he appealed for a negotiated solution rather than continued violence.

“Please come back to the negotiating table. I’m requesting everyone on daily basis to resolve matters through discussions instead of fire and blood,” Rathore wrote.

He also said the protesters’ abusive remarks, repeated threats and agitation were not serving anyone in AJK. In another comment, he wrote: “A political activist without the ability to debate and negotiate is like a pilot without the ability to fly an airplane. They both end up causing hurt and damage to people behind them,”

“Everyone recognises your rights and liberties,” he added, while stressing that both sides should remain calm and seek a solution through talks.

“The only weapon a political activist carries is his reasoning and negotiation skills,” he further added.

Rights groups voice concern

Amnesty International expressed concern over what it described as a violent and sweeping crackdown on the protests, citing the internet shutdown, mass arbitrary arrests and deadly use of force, and called on authorities to take immediate steps to de-escalate the situation.

Separately, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said it was deeply concerned by the worsening confrontation in AJK and by the reported loss of life among both protesters and law enforcement personnel.