Four cops martyred, 20 injured as AJK protest spirals

Fierce clashes between police and supporters of the now-proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) in Rawalakot resulted in the death of four police officers and injuries to 20 others, according to police reports on Sunday. The office of the AJK police chief stated that demonstrators "attacked" CMH Rawalakot, resulting in the officers being shot with firearms and shotguns. The police chief termed the incident "outright terrorism" and vowed to uphold public safety and peace. Officials also reported that at least two protesters lost their lives, with dozens injured, though local fears suggest the toll could be higher. Information flow from the region has been restricted due to the closure of mobile data services. Tensions escalated in Rawalakot following the death of a trader during a confrontation with law enforcement on Friday night. Initially, the trader's family announced his funeral for Saturday but later deferred it to Sunday, bringing the body back to CMH Rawalakot, reportedly for a post-mortem examination that did not occur. A sit-in by scores of people outside the hospital continued. Witnesses reported that when police arrived to disperse the protesters, demonstrators confronted them, leading riot police to use batons and tear gas. Protesters responded by pelting police with stones, though no injuries were reported among the police. The trader's family declared they would not bury him until the home department withdrew its notification proscribing the JAAC. "Our son faces the allegation of being a terrorist. We will not bury [him] until the notification branding [JAAC] as a terrorist group is withdrawn," a source quoted a family member as saying. A senior administration official, speaking anonymously, noted the sit-in caused significant inconvenience to patients, families, and commuters, and that protesters had refused to disperse peacefully.

“

Our son faces the allegation of being a terrorist. We will not bury [him] until the notification branding [JAAC] as a terrorist group is withdrawn.