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Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Police have accused the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) of pursuing an agenda aimed at creating unrest in the region. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Khawar Ali Shaukat made the allegations during a press conference in Rawalakot on Wednesday. The police official said recent violence in Rawalakot had raised serious questions about the group’s claim that it was engaged in peaceful protests. Shaukat alleged that armed groups attacked security personnel at several locations across the city over the past two days. According to the police official, the attackers used sophisticated weapons during the clashes. He said security personnel came under repeated fire during the incidents. The SSP said one Rangers official was martyred in the violence. He added that around 15 police officers and other law enforcement personnel were injured. Shaukat claimed that several suspects had been arrested in connection with the attacks. He said a significant quantity of weapons and ammunition was recovered from those taken into custody. The recovered weapons allegedly included heavy arms. Police also claimed to have seized an automatic weapon believed to be of American origin. The SSP said the recovery raised concerns about the nature and objectives of the group involved in the violence. He accused the proscribed organisation of attempting to disrupt peace in AJK and create divisions within society. Shaukat also rejected claims circulating on social media that security forces had deliberately targeted peaceful protesters. He said the situation on the ground was different from the narrative being presented online. According to the police official, law enforcement agencies exercised restraint throughout the unrest. He claimed that security personnel responded only after coming under attack. The latest police statement comes after clashes between protesters and security forces in different parts of AJK. Violence was reported in Rawalakot on Monday and in Mirpur on Tuesday. The clashes reportedly resulted in several casualties, although details surrounding the losses remained disputed. The JAAC has been holding protests across the region for several weeks. Among its demands is the abolition of 12 seats in the local legislature reserved for refugees from Indian-administered Kashmir. The dispute has led to growing tensions between protesters and the authorities. The government has also accused militant elements of exploiting the protests. It has alleged that some groups involved in the unrest are pursuing a foreign agenda and receiving financial support from India. The JAAC has rejected such allegations and accused security forces of using excessive force against its supporters. The group has claimed that dozens of its supporters were killed during clashes. However, the claim has not been officially confirmed. The competing claims have added to uncertainty surrounding the situation in AJK. Authorities are now investigating the violence and the alleged involvement of armed individuals. Police have also indicated that further arrests could follow as the investigation progresses.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has urged Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to apologise for its past statements and criticism directed at Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman. Speaking to journalists in Nowshera, Kundi said PTI’s current political position appeared different from its earlier stance towards Fazlur Rehman. He said the party should acknowledge its previous remarks and offer an apology. The governor also criticised PTI’s approach towards the judiciary, saying the party had celebrated certain court decisions in the past but later faced adverse verdicts from the same judicial system. Kundi said PTI supporters had previously distributed sweets when courts issued decisions they considered favourable. However, he noted that subsequent decisions by courts resulted in PTI founder Imran Khan being sent to jail. He argued that political parties should maintain a consistent position on state institutions and should not support institutions only when their decisions favour them. Turning to the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kundi strongly criticised the provincial government and accused it of failing to address the province’s major governance and security challenges. He alleged that political activities and what he described as political drama surrounding Adiala Jail and D-Chowk had continued for years, while the province faced serious issues related to law and order. The governor claimed that the security situation had deteriorated and alleged that the province was being left vulnerable to militants. He said restoring peace and ensuring effective governance should be the government’s primary responsibilities. Kundi also pointed to what he described as a significant change in PTI’s political relationships. He said the party now regarded Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Mahmood Khan Achakzai as important political allies or figures, despite its previous criticism of them. He said the change in political positioning made it even more important for PTI to address its past statements against Fazlur Rehman. The governor’s comments come amid continued political disagreements between the federal and provincial governments, with security, governance and political alliances remaining major areas of contention.

Seven workers were abducted after a group of armed men raided a private mining site in Chagai district and allegedly took away vehicles, fuel and other equipment worth millions of rupees. According to sources, the incident occurred around 1pm on Tuesday at a mine in Mahian Kaur, located approximately 15 to 18 kilometres west of Chagai town. Eight unidentified armed men reportedly arrived at the mining site on motorcycles. They took control of the facility and held the workers hostage before taking seven employees away with them. Four of the abducted workers were from Gilgit. They were identified as Wajahat, Wajid, Shahid and Sabir. The other three workers were locals. They were identified as Ziauddin from Dalbandin, Shah Saleem from Mahian in Chagai and Saeed Muhammad, who is also from Mahian. Sources said the armed men remained at the mining site for several hours. They reportedly stayed there until around 7pm before leaving with the hostages and equipment. The attackers allegedly took a Zambad vehicle and a four-wheel-drive pickup from the site. A motorcycle was also reportedly taken. More than 20 solar panels were among the items removed from the mining facility. The attackers also allegedly took bedding, kitchen equipment and other supplies used by the workers. A large quantity of fuel was also taken. Sources said the stolen fuel included around 2,500 litres of diesel and 1,500 litres of petrol. The attackers reportedly carried out the operation without facing resistance. They then left the area with the seven workers and the stolen property. The incident was reported to the relevant authorities soon after the attackers departed. Local administration and security officials have launched efforts to trace the abducted workers and recover the vehicles and other property. Search efforts are continuing in the area, while authorities are also investigating the identity and motives of the armed men. The abduction has raised fresh security concerns for workers and private mining operations in Chagai, where remote mining sites can be difficult to secure. At the time of reporting, there was no confirmed information about the whereabouts or condition of the seven abducted workers.