Grenade Found Near Thai Base in Sisaket as Border Talks End Without Deal

India has allegedly stepped up efforts to promote the narrative of a banned committee in Azad Jammu and Kashmir after the group failed to gain wider public support, according to security sources. The sources claimed that Indian forces played videos linked to the banned Public Action Committee in the Keran sector on August 13 and 14. The alleged move was aimed at creating anti-Pakistan sentiments among people living near the Line of Control. Security officials said the videos were used to highlight the committee’s narrative and influence public opinion. Experts believe the alleged move raises questions about possible links between the banned group and India. They said the promotion of the committee’s material from the Indian side could indicate an attempt to exploit political and social issues in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Defence analyst and retired Major General Zahid Mahmood said people were already aware of claims regarding foreign involvement in the activities of the banned Action Committee. He said information about alleged external support had previously emerged through what he described as reliable sources. Mahmood said efforts had been made to develop a specific narrative about Azad Jammu and Kashmir. According to him, the objective was to damage the broader Kashmir freedom movement and create divisions among the people. He alleged that India and other international actors were playing a role in shaping narratives related to Kashmir. The retired general also claimed that some international forces and media groups were helping promote these narratives. He said such efforts could be aimed at influencing public opinion and weakening support for the Kashmir cause. Security sources maintained that the alleged circulation of the videos was part of a broader attempt to provoke anti-Pakistan sentiments. They said the use of material associated with the banned committee could also be intended to create political unrest and confusion among the public. The allegations come amid continued tensions surrounding political developments in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Authorities are closely monitoring activities along the Line of Control and the dissemination of material they believe could fuel unrest.

MUZAFFARABAD: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir Election Commission has ordered re-polling at 23 polling stations in two constituencies of Bagh district following disruptions during the third phase of the AJK elections. Re-polling will take place on August 15. It will cover nine polling stations in LA-15 Bagh Central and 14 polling stations in LA-16 Bagh East. The decision was taken after voting at several polling stations either failed to start on time or was disrupted and later cancelled. The four constituencies of Bagh and Haveli went to the polls on August 10. Elections in other parts of Poonch Division had earlier been delayed because of law and order concerns. In LA-15, PPP candidate Sardar Ziaul Qamar was leading according to unofficial results. He had secured 16,637 votes. PML-N candidate Mushtaq Ahmed Minhas was in second place with 15,015 votes. Jamaat-i-Islami candidate Brigadier (retd) Dr Mohammad Khan had received 12,259 votes. The nine polling stations scheduled for re-polling have more than 5,000 registered voters. Their votes could have a significant impact on the final result. Former AJK prime minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas, who contested the constituency on the PTI ticket in the 2021 election, appeared to have fallen out of contention. A close contest was also reported in LA-16 Bagh East. PML-N candidate Sardar Mir Akbar was leading with 19,515 votes. PPP candidate Sardar Qamaruz Zaman had secured 16,290 votes. The 14 polling stations where re-polling has been ordered reportedly account for around 7,200 votes. Meanwhile, the Election Commission announced the preliminary result for LA-14 Dhirkot. Sajid Iqbal Abbasi of the Awami Dast-o-Bazu Party defeated Muslim Conference president Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan. Abbasi secured 40,522 votes, while Attique received 19,637 votes. The result marked a major setback for the Muslim Conference, which has historically been one of the region’s prominent political parties. The result of LA-17 Haveli also became controversial. PML-N candidate Chaudhry Mohsin Aziz demanded a recount and alleged irregularities in election documents. Aziz claimed that Form-24 documents from different polling stations had been altered. Election officials began examining the complaint. Ballot papers and other election material were also reportedly moved under security to Muzaffarabad for further counting and verification. Aziz called on PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to support a recount. He claimed that results signed by presiding officers showed him leading by around 8,600 votes. However, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan, citing the Election Commission, reported that PPP candidate and AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore had won the LA-17 seat. The AJK elections are being held in three phases. The polls have taken place amid political tensions and law and order concerns in several parts of the region. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has so far secured 24 seats, while the Pakistan Peoples Party has won 10 constituencies, according to the available results. The first two phases also witnessed allegations of electoral irregularities, clashes and political disputes. Both major parties have traded accusations over the conduct of the elections. The third phase was originally planned across all 11 constituencies of Poonch Division. However, voting was allowed only in Bagh and Haveli because of security concerns.

Punjab authorities have stepped up action against Afghan nationals living in the province without valid documents. The Foreign National Security Cell of the Punjab Home Department is carrying out checks across the province. Officials are identifying Afghan nationals who are staying without acceptable visas. Those found to be residing illegally are being detained. They are then moved to designated holding centres before being repatriated to Afghanistan. A spokesperson for the Punjab Home Department said 2,689,295 Afghan nationals have so far been repatriated from Pakistan. The spokesperson said 140,468 undocumented Afghan nationals have been sent back from Punjab alone. Officials said the action is being carried out under the government’s existing policy. Under the policy, Afghan nationals without valid and acceptable visas are considered to be staying illegally in Pakistan. The crackdown is not limited to one area. Officials are conducting checks in residential neighbourhoods and commercial markets across Punjab. The authorities are also monitoring places where foreign nationals may be living or working. The purpose is to identify people who do not have the required legal documents. The department said detained Afghan nationals are transferred to holding centres. These facilities are being used to manage the repatriation process. There are currently 39 active holding centres across Punjab. According to the department, 188 Afghan nationals are currently staying in these centres. The provincial authorities have also directed action against people who rent properties to undocumented foreign nationals. Cases can be registered against property owners found violating the relevant rules. Officials said the enforcement drive will continue across the province. Authorities are maintaining checks in different areas as part of efforts to enforce immigration regulations.