Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Police spokesperson Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Khawar Ali Shaukat on Thursday said the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) had abducted eight highway police personnel deployed during election duty and warned its leadership against challenging the writ of the state, saying “the state will show no leniency” towards them.

“To ensure the elections remained peaceful, security forces were deployed for election duty. However, they were not only attacked by JAAC members, but eight highway police personnel were also abducted. Those personnel were tortured and remain in JAAC’s custody,” said Shaukat while addressing a press conference in Rawalakot.

The situation in AJK turned violent after the banned JAAC began protesting and staging a sit-in to demand the abolition of 12 seats in the local legislature reserved for refugees from Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Clashes have been reported between law enforcement personnel and protesters in AJK, with reports of multiple deaths and injuries circulating on social media. Several videos circulating online showed scenes of unrest, with claims of violence and casualties, though the details could not be independently verified. Both security forces and the banned JAAC claimed the loss of lives on both sides.

AJK police spokesperson during today’s presser further warned that if the personnel were harmed in any way, or threats against their families continued, “the state will show no leniency towards you”, saying “decisive and the harshest possible action” would be taken against those elements.

I ask the JAAC leaders to immediately release the personnel safely. We will not accept any pressure when it comes to the lives and safety of our security personnel. If those personnel are harmed in any way, if their release is hindered in any way, or if threats against their families continue, then the state will show no leniency.”

He said the authorities would ensure that the writ of the state, public safety and the rule of law were maintained under all circumstances.

“The state will not accept any pressure whatsoever when it comes to the lives and safety of these personnel. If the writ of the state is challenged, state institutions’ personnel are subjected to violence, attacked or abducted, or an attempt is made to paralyse the state system, the state will fully fulfil its responsibility through legal and constitutional means,” said Shaukat.

He also displayed pictures of the eight allegedly abducted personnel during the press conference.

He said the violent actions and objectives of the banned group had been rejected by the public and, “By participating in the elections, the people have made it clear that they have no connection with the banned JAAC,” he added.

Shaukat appealed to the public to completely distance themselves from what he described as “mischievous elements” and not become involved in violent incidents, adding that state institutions would take action “in accordance with the law and Constitution”.

He made a particular appeal to parents “to keep an eye on your children and keep them away from these nefarious designs”. “These people, through misleading propaganda and an inflammatory narrative, are not only inciting the youth against the state but are also playing with their future,” he said.

Shaukat warned that continued violence could damage the state’s “image and peace”.

Read: PML-N to hold talks with JAAC after forming AJK govt: Sanaullah

Background

AJK’s 53-member legislative assembly includes 12 seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees — people who fled Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) in 1947 and 1965 and are now scattered across Pakistan. Six seats represent refugees from the Jammu division (~434,000 people) and six from the Kashmir Valley (~30,000 people) — an already lopsided arrangement that many see as unfair.

The region witnessed one of its most turbulent periods in October last year when protests led by the JAAC erupted over demands for constitutional and governance reforms. At least nine people, including three policemen, were killed during the unrest.

The JAAC, which organised the protests and strike, had presented a wide-ranging charter of demands, including an end to the privileges enjoyed by the ruling elite, the abolition of 12 assembly seats reserved for refugees, and the scrapping of the quota system.

Two days after the violence, the government and the JAAC reached an agreement covering 12 core and 13 additional points. Under the accord, both sides agreed to constitute a high-level committee to examine the issue of refugee seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly.

The matter is at a deadlock at the moment, with the JAAC calling for the abolition of the seats while the government rejects the demand.