• Clashes with law enforcers reported as rallies from various parts of region attempt to converge on Muzaffarabad• Several feared dead. two cops among scores injured• PM Rathore urges a return to talks• Five held from Muzaffarabad on suspicion of ‘links to foreign agencies’
MUZAFFARABAD: Parts of Azad Jammu. Kashmir (AJK) remained in the throes of a crippling shutter-down strike on Tuesday, which was punctuated by clashes between law enforcers and supporters of the recently-proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC).
The AJK government has issued orders to initiate sedition proceedings against two JAAC figures,. also announced a Rs10 million reward for information leading to the arrest of four of the group leaders.
At the same time. AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore urged a return to the negotiating table in a bid to end the tensions that have gripped the region over the past few days.
Theclashesoccurred when protesters from different areas of Mirpur division, comprising Mirpur, Bhimber. Kotli districts, took out rallies in line with the JAAC’s plan, envisaging a long march towards neighbouring Poonch division, en route to Muzaffarabad.
In the lakeside city of Mirpur, hundreds gathered outside the Quaid-i-Azam Cricket Stadium. They later began marching towards Plaak bridge. where they were reportedly joined by another rally from Dadyal, led by Khawaja Mehran Arshad at the border of Kotli district.
On the outskirts of Mirpur, two policemen. some protesters were injured in a brief clash in Pind Sabharwal village, an official said.
However, most violent clashes took place in Kotli city, after a procession of hundreds arrived there from Khuiratta tehsil. Though officials remained tight-lipped, residents. members of the AJK cabinet toldDawn— on condition of anonymity — that several people, including a doctor and a woman, were killed and scores of others wounded in the clashes.
According to initial reports. the doctor was on the roof of his home when he was hit by a stray bullet.
The strike. the ongoing closure of internet and mobile data services in the region has made it difficult to obtain real-time information from AJK.
Earlier in the day, all cities, towns and villages across AJK observed a complete shutter down strike. Even the banks, medical stores and bistros were closed and public and private transport off the roads.
However, in many areas motorcycles and a few private cars were occasionally seen moving through the streets without any disturbance.
In Muzaffarabad – the ultimate destination of protesters – riot police had taken positions in. outside government buildings and main thoroughfares to meet any eventuality. However, the capital remained completely calm on Tuesday.
Meanwhile. the AJK legal fraternity boycotted judicial proceedings on a call by the AJK Bar Council, to protest the alleged arrest of senior lawyer Amjad Ali Khan, a core member of the JAAC.
Action against JAAC leaders
The AJK government issued orders to initiating sedition proceedings against JAAC leaders Shaukat Nawaz Mir, resident of Muzaffarabad,. Mehran Arshad Khawaja, resident of Mirpur.
A notification issued by the AJK Home Department accused both leaders of committing “sedition through their speeches, written material, videos. audios”.
The government has issued instructions to the Mirpur. Muzaffarabad senior superintendents of police (SSPs) under Section 196 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) to review the available records/materials.
It also directed the SSPs to register a case against Mir. Khawaja, and submit a charge-sheet in court after completing the investigation.
The two men were also among a group of four JAAC figures for whom ‘head money’ of Rs10m was announced.
“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,” said another notification.
Those named in the notification include Shaukat Nawaz Mir, Umar Nazir Kashmiri, Khawaja Mehran Arshad and Sardar Aman Khan.
Five held over ‘suspicious links’
According to the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan, law enforcement agencies arrested five suspects in an intelligence-based operation, seizing laptops, mobile phones,. various communication devices.
During interrogation, information provided by one of the detainees led to the recovery of a large cache of arms, including seven automatic weapons, multiple grenades,. other military hardware.
According toAPP, investigators have uncovered evidence pointing to their alleged contact with hostile foreign intelligence agencies.
In a post on X, the AJK premier reiterated his call for the issue to be resolved through talks.
“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 on X.
He added that the protesters’ “abusive comments, constant threats and senseless agitation” were not helpful to anyone in AJK.
“A political activist without the ability to debate. negotiate is like a pilot without the ability to fly an airplane. They both end up causing hurt and damage to people behind them,” the PPP leader remarked.
“Everyone recognises your rights. liberties,” the AJK PM assured, stressing that both sides needed to “remain calm and find a way out through talks”.
“The only weapon a political activist carries is his reasoning and negotiation skills,” he said.
Rights bodies concerned
Human rights watchdog Amnesty International expressed concern over the violent. sweeping crackdown on protests - including an internet shutdown, mass arbitrary arrests, and deadly use of force – and called on the authorities to take immediate steps to deescalate the situation.
Separately, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) said it was “deeply concerned by the escalating confrontation” in AJK. the loss of life among both protesters and law enforcement personnel.
Published in Dawn, June 10th, 2026
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