MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Information Secretary Muhammad Rashid Hanif on Tuesday said that armed militants, including terrorists belonging to Fitna Al Khawarij, were present among the protesters of the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) in Rawalakot.
Addressing a joint press conference alongside Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of AJK Police Irfan Masood Kashfi, Rashid said that the peaceful conduct of elections in the Mirpur division had thwarted the objectives of the banned JAAC.
At the outset of the presser, the Information Secretary added that there had been some illegal and violent activities in AJK aimed at sabotaging the upcoming phases of the elections in the region.
“The fundamental duty of the state is to maintain law and order, continue the democratic process, and fulfil this responsibility. The state is capable of doing so,” he stressed.
The official claimed that common people are fewer in JAAC protests, while armed individuals, militants and Fitna Al Khawarij members are present in numbers.
He also played a video as evidence, which showed masked gunmen on the roof of a building in the region.
Hanif further alleged that women and children were being used as human shields and urged the public not to believe what he described as misinformation circulated by Indian media and on social media platforms.
“The banned JAAC is misleading the public by spreading old and fake videos on social media. The public should trust only information released from official and verified sources,” he stated.
Hanif added the government would uphold the writ of the state and would not allow anyone to take the law into their own hands.
” An attempt was made to sabotage the democratic process by spreading chaos after the election results. The government stands at all costs to protect the people’s right to vote,” the official said.
‘Modern weapons being used’
Meanwhile, AJK Police spokesperson Irfan Masood Kashfi, while addressing a press conference, said that the armed elements have M4 rifles, SMGs, Kalashnikovs and other modern weapons, and the use of snipers by protestors was also verified.
The arrested miscreants have revealed that they have modern weapons and offered cash rewards in exchange for attacks. He said that these elements are no longer peaceful protesters but armed militants.
“These elements would be handled in the same way that any terrorists or militants are handled,” Kashfi added.
He said that a Rangers personnel had been martyred while five personnel, including an officer, were injured in the firing by armed elements. “The security forces showed extreme restraint, and the response was being given only in self-defense.”
He also said one person had been arrested in Rawalakot, from whose possession an M8 rifle was recovered. According to initial information, he said, the suspect was from a foreign country and was acting as a sniper.
Investigations into the facilitators and financial support of the armed elements are underway, the police official said.
The police official concluded that no one will be allowed to challenge the state writ or capture Rawalakot or any other area.
