Police in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Saturday announced the arrest of approximately 72 individuals allegedly affiliated with the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) during operations conducted over the preceding 18 hours. This development came a day after the AJK government outlawed the organization under anti-terrorism laws, accusing it of involvement in terrorism, promoting hatred, and creating anarchy in the state ahead of a protest scheduled for June 9.
Police Operations and Recoveries
In a statement, the AJK Police said the arrests were part of efforts to maintain law and order and protect citizens' lives and property. During the operation, authorities claimed to have recovered weapons, communication devices, and suspicious documents. They also alleged seizing material related to plans that could disrupt public order, as well as evidence indicating organized protest and violent activity patterns. The statement further claimed that investigators found indications of suspected contacts with foreign individuals, and inquiries into the recovered material are ongoing.
According to the police, preliminary evidence suggested that certain elements were planning to disrupt public order, damage public and private property, influence the electoral process, and incite hostility against state institutions through what it described as unconstitutional and violent agitation. Law enforcement agencies are examining the recovered material, digital evidence, and other information in accordance with legal requirements.
The Inspector General of Police stated that the state respects peaceful expression of opinion, constitutional demands, and lawful protest. However, no individual or group will be allowed to engage in violence, incitement, use of weapons, road blockades, damage to public property, or disruption of citizens' daily lives. All those arrested will face investigation and judicial proceedings under relevant laws.
Appealing to the public to remain calm, police urged citizens to avoid rumors and inflammatory content, cooperate with law enforcement agencies, and stay away from sensitive locations and unlawful gatherings. Reaffirming its commitment to maintaining law and order, the police said all roads and markets across the state remain open. No attempt to disturb peace, promote violence, or incite people towards unconstitutional activities will be allowed to succeed.
AJK Prime Minister Defends Ban
Meanwhile, AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Faisal Mumtaz Rathore defended the decision to ban the JAAC, stating that the move had become unavoidable given the evolving situation in the state. Speaking to a private television channel, Rathore said progress had been made on most points agreed between the government and the committee. Out of 38 points, some of the 37 agreed-upon points had already been implemented, while others had been partially fulfilled. He noted that the committee did not grant the government an additional five to seven days to address the remaining issues.
The prime minister said the situation developing in the state was creating difficulties for ordinary citizens and that the government could not allow matters to descend into chaos. Given the direction in which the situation was moving, a ban on the JAAC had to be imposed. When asked whether elections scheduled for the 27th would be held on time, Rathore said they should proceed as planned. He emphasized the need for all political parties and the public to demonstrate responsibility to ensure that the current environment does not persist.
Recalling previous negotiations, the premier said an agreement had been drafted after the last round of talks broke down but collapsed at the point of signing over a single issue. After that, 13 human lives were lost, and then the same agreement was eventually reached, which could have happened earlier. Responding to a question about possible Indian involvement in the unrest, Rathore said that regardless of whether India is directly involved, instability in the state would benefit New Delhi. He added that giving India space to exploit the situation and strengthen its narrative on Kashmir is not appropriate for either Pakistan or Kashmir.
JAAC Rejects Allegations
Separately, JAAC leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir painted a starkly different picture of the situation. In a statement, he said internet services had been shut down across the region and that raids were being conducted to arrest Action Committee members. Mir alleged that in Rawalakot, committee member Umar Nazir had been attacked and that another activist, Shazib Habib, had been killed. He stated that their morale is high and their resolve is stronger than ever before, emphasizing that the state belongs to them and its protection is their responsibility as well.
Mir said a formal announcement regarding the future course of action would be made after consultations following the funeral prayers of Habib and reiterated that the planned long march would go ahead in full force. He described the movement as entirely peaceful and their demands as just and popular. He urged supporters to avoid damaging public or private property and to refrain from any actions that could cause damage to government or private property. Their goal, he said, is construction, reform, and the attainment of rights, not damage and chaos.
Appealing to Kashmiris abroad and human rights organizations, Mir called on them to become their voice and highlight the situation on the global stage. He also urged supporters not to spread unverified information, noting that fake news is being spread regarding the arrest of core members. He requested the public not to believe unverified news and to refrain from spreading rumors, and advised supporters to avoid abusive language and maintain the traditions and values of Kashmiri society.
Internet Disruption and Political Reaction
Internet services remained disrupted across parts of AJK following the JAAC's call for protests on June 9. According to NetBlocks, metrics showed a major disruption to internet connectivity in AJK, with the shutdown coming ahead of protests as authorities used anti-terrorism powers to ban the JAAC, likely limiting coverage of events.
The ban on the group also drew criticism from several political figures. Former senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed described the move as a wrong decision at the wrong time in a post on X, saying it repeated past mistakes in dealing with dissent and questioned the use of anti-terror laws against political opponents. Former senator Afrasiab Khattak called the ban a gross violation of all fundamental rights in the Constitution, stating that banning the Jammu Kashmir Awami Action Committee, a non-violent voice of the people, under the anti-terrorist act is a gross violation. He warned that conquering Kashmir by force instead of winning hearts and minds will have dangerous consequences.
The leader of the Haqooq-i-Khalq Party, Ammar Ali Jan, also criticized the decision, arguing that repression during elections would increase resentment and instability. He noted that after blatant pre-poll rigging in Gilgit-Baltistan where PTI was not allowed to campaign, the state has banned the Awami Action Committee in Kashmir. He called for reversing this suicidal policy before it is too late.
