AJK govt cracks down on JAAC after imposition of ban
โข Police arrest at least 72 people, recover โweapons, suspicious documentsโ โข Situation tense in Poonch after trader gunned down in โclash with policeโ MUZAFFARABAD: Authยญorยญitยญies in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Saturday launched a crackdown on the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), arresting scores of its leaders and activists from different areas. โIn fulfilment of its responsibility to maintain public order and protect the lives and properties of citizens, police have arrested around 72 people affiliated with the proscribed JAAC over the past 18 hours,โ said a handout issued by a spokesperson for police chief Liaqat Ali Malik. โDuring initial action, weapons, communication gadgets, suspicious documents, material related to plans that could adversely affect public order and organised mechanisms for violent agitational activities had been found, in addition to indications of questionable contacts with patrons and foreigners which are being investigated under law,โ it added. The police spokesperson said the police and other institutions concerned were examining information, digital evidence and contacts indicating that some elements were โtrying to exploit public issues to disrupt law and order, influence the electoral process, damage public and private property, incite hostility against state institutions and paralyse normal life through unconstitutional and violent actionsโ. He urged the public to remain peaceful, restrict movements and avoid taking part in any activity by any outlawed organisation and extend cooperation to law enforcers in their own interest. The police statement came in the wake of a tense situation in Poonch, where a trader, Shahzeb Habib, was killed by a gunshot wound late on Friday night. According to sources, Habib was last seen accompanying Umar Nazir Kashmiri, a JAAC core member from Poonch, on Friday night when they were returning from Khaigalla to Rawalakot. Their vehicle was intercepted by law enforcers near Barmang bridge, which reportedly led to โan exchange of fireโ between the two sides during which Habib was believed to have been critically injured and later died. โAt 11:45pm on Friday, when police tried to intercept a suspicious vehicle near Khaigalla, its armed occupants opened fire on them. Police also retaliated with firing, which led the armed men to escape,โ claimed a post on the Facebook page of the AJK police. It made no mention of any death. Sources said the body of Habib was brought to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Rawalakot, but his relatives did not allow the post-mortem. Mr Kashmiri was also said to have received minor injuries, but he had managed to escape arrest, according to some of his associates. On Saturday, relatives placed Habibโs body outside the hospital where they staged a sit-in for about four hours. Afterwards, it was taken to Tarar, his native village. Initially, it was decided that the funeral prayer would be held at 6pm. However, later his family and colleagues changed their mind and brought the body back to the CMH for a post-mortem examination, which could not be conducted when this report was dictated on phone, amid an internet shutdown. Witnesses said dozens of people were on a dharna (sit-in) outside the hospital. Reportedly, they were waiting for some JAAC core member to visit them and issue a direction regarding the next course of action. Earlier in the day, most shops in Rawalakot remained shut, except for those selling groceries, dairy products, fruits and vegetables, medicines, and restaurants, which recorded a โrush of panic buyers,โ according to witnesses. โRangers and police personnel are standing alert at many important points in the town. But I tell you there is hustle and bustle here,โ a resident told Dawn by telephone. Witnesses said that a main route from the Azad Pattan Bridge had been blocked by protesters by placing boulders and other obstacles in the jurisdiction of the Mang police station, but other roads were mostly open. In Muzaffarabad, life remained normal. Though shops stayed open, traffic was thin on the roads. Police staged a flag march in various parts of the city. Meanwhile, a senior official at the AJK Supreme Court told Dawn that the two-member bench, comprising Chief Justice Raja Saeed Akram and Justice Khalid Yousaf Chaudhary, had finalised the apex courtโs advice in response to a presidential reference under Article 46-A of the AJK Interim Constitution by 8pm. The sealed envelope, containing the advice, had been delivered by acting Registrar Malik Ahtisham to the secretary for presidential affairs at the Presidentโs House here, he said. Published in Dawn, June 7th, 2026