AJK Officials Accuse Militant Elements of Infiltrating JAAC Protests
Officials in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) have accused militant elements of infiltrating the ongoing protests by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), with the region's information secretary claiming that a significant number of demonstrators are affiliated with Fitna Al Khawarij, a term used by the state for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.
At a press conference on Tuesday, AJK Information Secretary Muhammad Rashid Hanif said that illegal and violent activities had taken place in the region aimed at disrupting the upcoming phases of elections. He claimed that the JAAC protest included individuals linked to Fitna Al Khawarij rather than only ordinary citizens, and played a video showing masked gunmen on a rooftop as evidence.
"Common people are fewer in number; however, armed individuals, militants and Fitna Al Khawarij members are present, which falls under the definition of terrorism," Hanif said. He also alleged that anti-state elements were using children and women as human shields, and that misleading videos had been circulated on social media to portray the movement as a human rights issue.
Hanif stated that state institutions had adequate information regarding the presence of Fitna Al Khawarij elements and members of other militant organisations. AJK police spokesperson and Deputy Inspector General of Police Irfan Kashfi said such elements would be "handled in the same way that any terrorists or militants are handled."
Separately, Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar echoed similar sentiments, saying the JAAC protests were not peaceful but violent, and alleging that militant elements pursuing a foreign agenda and backed by Indian funding were involved. He emphasised that peaceful and transparent elections were held in AJK, with all mainstream political parties participating fully, and that the people of Kashmir had rejected the protesters.
The statements come amid weeks of demonstrations by the now-proscribed JAAC, which has been demanding the abolishment of 12 seats in the local legislature reserved for refugees from Indian-held Kashmir. Clashes between protesters and law enforcement personnel were reported in Rawalakot and Mirpur, resulting in casualties. In a televised address on Monday, Hanif said that seven law enforcement personnel, including police and Rangers, were martyred during the unrest, while 45 others suffered serious injuries. He also said that weapons allegedly recovered from JAAC members had been used in the attacks.
The JAAC has rejected the allegations, according to officials, who described them as false and part of a misinformation campaign. The regional government has declared the JAAC a proscribed organisation and launched a crackdown.