JAAC ‘abducted’ eight personnel on election duty, claim AJK police

WEB DESK: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) police on Thursday claimed that eight highway police personnel deployed for election duty had been abducted by the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), alleging that the officials were being held and subjected to violence.

AJK police spokesperson SSP Khawar Ali Shaukat made the allegation in a televised press conference, accusing the proscribed group of attacking security forces deployed for election duties and attempting to challenge the writ of the state.

“Eight highway police officials on election duty were abducted,” Shaukat said, adding that the personnel were allegedly in the custody of the JAAC and had been subjected to violence.

The spokesperson also alleged that the group had threatened the families of the abducted officials.

Shaukat described the JAAC as a “violent” group and alleged that it was working on a specific agenda aimed at undermining state institutions and disrupting peace in the region.

He said the state would not tolerate violence or attempts to challenge its writ, stressing that wherever the writ of the state was challenged, action would be taken in accordance with the law and the Constitution.

“The state was not weak before and is not weak now,” the police spokesperson said, warning that the state’s restraint should not be mistaken for weakness.

He alleged that the group had been pursuing what he described as a violent and disruptive course for the past four years, with the objective of undermining state institutions and disturbing peace.

The police spokesperson also accused the group of using children and members of the public as shields during protests and urged parents to remain vigilant about their children.

He claimed that the people of AJK had rejected the JAAC’s approach by participating in elections and choosing a democratic path to elect their representatives.

According to Shaukat, the electoral process not only demonstrated public support for the democratic system but also helped restore the writ of the state.

He appealed to people to distance themselves from the proscribed group and refrain from becoming involved in activities that challenge the state’s writ.

Shaukat called on the JAAC to release the eight ‘abducted’ police personnel.

He warned that the state would not accept any pressure concerning the safety of the officials and said strict action would be taken if the personnel were harmed, obstacles were created in their release or threats against their families continued.

“If the state’s writ is challenged and state officials are subjected to violence, the state will perform its duties in accordance with the law and the Constitution,” he said.

The police spokesperson’s allegations come amid heightened tensions in AJK, where the JAAC has been holding protests over a range of demands, including opposition to 12 seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly reserved for refugees from Indian-administered Kashmir.

Clashes between protesters and law enforcement personnel in Rawalakot and Mirpur on July 28 reportedly resulted in several casualties, intensifying tensions in the region.

The government has previously accused elements involved in the unrest of pursuing a foreign agenda and receiving Indian funding, allegations rejected by those involved in the protests.

AJK Information Secretary Muhammad Rashid Hanif had earlier said that seven law enforcement personnel, including police and Rangers personnel, were killed during the recent unrest.

The latest police claim of the abduction of eight highway police personnel adds another serious dimension to the ongoing tensions, with authorities warning that violence against security personnel and challenges to the state’s writ would be met with action under the law.