Islamabad police sent to AJK to bolster security ahead of protests

WEB DESK: A contingent of Islamabad Police has been dispatched to Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) as authorities ramp up security measures in anticipation of a major protest call by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) on June 9.

The police personnel, equipped with anti-riot gear and tear gas, form part of broader reinforcements that include personnel from the Rangers and Frontier Corps (FC), requested by the AJK government from the federal authorities.

This deployment comes amid heightened tensions and follows a travel advisory urging tourists to leave the region.

Background of ongoing tensions

The latest protest call revives demands long championed by the JAAC, including the abolition of 12 reserved seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly, subsidised flour and electricity tariffs, and an end to what protesters describe as elite privileges.

Similar grievances fuelled widespread and at times violent unrest in October 2025, when protests led by the same alliance resulted in multiple deaths and injuries, prompting a communications blackout and heavy security deployment.

Yesterday’s developments build on these unresolved issues, with the AJK government seeking additional law enforcement support as a contingency against potential disruptions.

Officials have emphasised maintaining public order while respecting democratic rights, following a pattern of pre-emptive measures seen in previous rounds of agitation.

Fears of renewed unrest

Local administration officials stated that the reinforcements aim to prevent any repeat of past violence and ensure normal life is not unduly affected.

The AJK government has also issued a travel advisory, asking visitors to avoid non-essential travel between June 5 and June 20 and urging those already in the region to depart promptly.

Opposition groups and activists maintain that their movement remains peaceful, pressing for structural reforms. Further federal deployments are expected in the coming days as authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.