SUDHANOTI (Kashmir English): The Azad Jammu and Kashmir Police said one police constable was martyred and nine security personnel were injured in clashes with miscreants of the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) in Baithak, Sudhanoti district, police said on Tuesday.
The Inspector General of Police spokesperson said that armed individuals allegedly opened fire during a road clearance operation on the Kotli-Tarakhal Road.
The police said that activists of the banned Action Committee had blocked traffic by erecting barriers at various places on the Kotli-Tarakhal Road, causing severe travel difficulties for the common people and affecting the supply of essential commodities.
“Keeping in mind the difficulties, law enforcement agencies today launched a clearance operation to ensure smooth traffic flow and uninterrupted supply of essential commodities,” the statement added.
During the operation, armed groups allegedly opened indiscriminate fire on security personnel at Baithak, located in Sudhanoti’s Baloch Tehsil, resulting in the martyrdom of Mirpur Traffic Police Constable Aqib.
Moreover, eight personnel of the Azad Kashmir Police, along with one Federal Constabulary (FC) Constable Shahzad and a Public Works Department (PWD) official, sustained injuries.
Police said law enforcement agencies have taken control of the situation and are taking all necessary steps to protect the lives and property of the people and restore the road, adding that the supply of daily necessities through the road is being ensured at all costs.
The spokesperson said clearance operations would continue all blocked roads and highways to ensure lasting peace, maintain the rule of law, and ensure the free movement of citizens, adding that no armed or unlawful group would be allowed to block roads or disrupt public life.
Rangers personnel martyred
Earlier today, the AJK Police confirmed the martyrdom of one Rangers personnel and the injury of another after armed members of the banned JAAC attacked security forces in the morning.
According to the AJK police spokesperson, JAAC, having failed to rally public support in recent weeks, resorted to indiscriminate armed firing early morning in the general area of the bus terminal in Rawalakot to blame the security forces.
The police also shared the aerial footage of the activity, where JAAC members can be seen firing in the civilian area.
When police moved forward with the security forces to intervene, they were engaged, and the proscribed JAAC hooligans and armed anarchists fired at them, police said.
The armed groups used sophisticated weapons to directly target police personnel advancing to restore law and order, as well as Rangers personnel who had arrived to assist, police said.
“One brave security personnel member embraced Shahadat, and one was injured in the firing by JAAC protesters/anarchists.”
Security sources further alleged that the attackers used explosives and heavy weapons to target a police armoured personnel carrier (APC) and fired in the surrounding areas.
