A traders' leader in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has alleged that he and his cousin were abducted, tortured for more than six hours and later abandoned by a group of masked men, 24NewsHD TV reported on Sunday.
According to a statement issued by the local traders' association, the incident occurred near Jandala Cross, where the main road had allegedly been blocked by the felling of a tree.
The statement claimed that Sardar Nasir Arbab, General Secretary of Anjuman Tajran Arja, along with several local youths, reached the site to clear the road and make way for an ambulance when they came under fire from 20 to 25 masked men.
No casualties were reported in the alleged firing.
It further alleged that the armed men stopped Nasir Arbab and his cousin, Hussam, at gunpoint before dragging them towards Halan Bazaar.
From there, they were allegedly forced into a Hiace vehicle and taken to Paniola, where they were subjected to severe physical assault until around 6 am.
The traders' association claimed that Nasir Arbab lost consciousness due to the severity of the assault.
The attackers allegedly abandoned both men in a critically injured condition near Halan Bazaar before fleeing.
The incident has reportedly sparked anger among members of the local business community and residents of the area.