At least seven civilians have been killed in Rawalakot, a region situated within Pakistan-administered Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), following violent clashes between local police forces and supporters of the newly banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC). The fatal confrontations occurred on Sunday, with details regarding the casualties officially confirmed by a government representative on Monday.
Escalation of Violence and Police Casualties
According to verified reports provided by the Inspector General (IG) of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Police, Liaquat Ali Malik, the physical confrontations on Sunday also resulted in injuries to 23 police personnel. In response to the intensifying unrest, law enforcement agencies executed targeted operations late on Sunday night, resulting in the detention of 30 individuals suspected of rioting.
The latest fatal incident follows a sequence of violent protests that have disrupted life in Rawalakot over several consecutive days. The regional security environment had deteriorated significantly prior to Sunday’s events. On Saturday, at least four members of the state law enforcement and security forces were killed during active duties aimed at managing the civil disturbances.
The underlying cause of the recent escalation traces back to Friday night, when a local businessman was allegedly shot and killed during a confrontation with members of the law enforcement forces. The death of the businessman served as a major catalyst, causing regional tensions to rise and triggering widespread mobilisations by the Joint Awami Action Committee, which was subsequently designated as a banned entity by governmental authorities.
Attack on Military Hospital and Crowd Control Measures
Government officials stated that the scope of the violence extended beyond street clashes on Sunday. According to administrative accounts, agitated demonstrators launched a physical assault on the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) facility located in Rawalakot. The attack on the medical institution prompted further deployments of security personnel to secure the area and protect medical staff and patients.
Eyewitness accounts from the scene detailed the physical encounters between the opposing sides. The unrest escalated when police units attempted to clear the demonstrators from public spaces, prompting an immediate and confrontational reaction from the gathered crowds. In an effort to disperse the protesters, riot control police units resorted to baton charges and discharged rounds of tear gas into the crowds.
In retaliation to the police dispersal tactics, the demonstrators launched stones and bricks at the deployed law enforcement lines. Although the stone-throwing caused disruption, official statements indicated that no injuries were recorded specifically from the stone-pelting aspect of the confrontation.
Current Security Stand-off and Regulatory Procedures
The regional administration has maintained a heightened security posture across Rawalakot and adjacent areas within Azad Jammu and Kashmir to prevent further outbreaks of lawlessness. Investigations into the deaths of both the civilians and the security personnel are being managed by relevant authorities, alongside legal proceedings concerning the 30 detained individuals.
The government has reiterated that the Joint Awami Action Committee remains a prohibited organisation, and any public gatherings or demonstrations organised under its banner are strictly illegal under current emergency regulations. Additional police battalions have been stationed near key public infrastructure, including government buildings and medical centres like the Combined Military Hospital, to ensure the maintenance of public order and safety.