AJK clearance operations go bloody as two security personnel martyred, 12 wounded in attacks

Two security personnel embraced martyrdom and at least 12 others were wounded in separate attacks during efforts to restore public movement and clear blocked roads in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Tuesday, according to security officials.

First, a Rangers official embraced martyrdom. Officials accused armed supporters of the outlawed Joint Awami Action Committee, or JAAC, of opening fire on civilians and law enforcement personnel in Rawalakot and resisting a clearance operation on the Kotli-Tatarkhel highway.

The first incident occurred near the Matial Mira bus terminal in Rawalakot on the morning of July 14, officials said. According to the official account, armed men initially opened fire near a civilian area before targeting police personnel who were moving towards the site to restore order.

Rangers personnel sent to assist the police were then fired upon with modern weapons, officials said. Rangers official Naik Imtiyaz Ali embraced martyrdom in the shooting.

Later, a police constable was martyred and a Federal Constabulary officer was seriously injured when members of the JAAC opened fire during a clearing operation in the Bethak area of Poonch Division, according to official sources.

Officials said Mirpur Traffic Police Constable Aqib embraced martyrdom after being shot during the operation launched against the armed militants.

A Federal Constabulary constable, identified as Shahzad, also sustained serious gunshot injuries in the exchange of fire. He was shifted for immediate medical treatment, officials said.

Authorities stated that the incident occurred during a clearing operation in Bethak, where security personnel came under attack from armed militants. The operation was continuing to secure the area and apprehend those involved.

Officials described the attack as evidence of what they termed the "violent character" of the banned JAAC.

No statement from the group was immediately available, and independent verification of the official claims could not be established. Further details are awaited as the operation continues.

In a separate development, security forces launched an operation in Baloch Bazaar to reopen the main Kotli-Tatarkhel highway after armed groups allegedly erected illegal barricades.

Officials said the blockade had suspended public transport and disrupted the movement of food and other essential supplies.

Security personnel came under fire and faced resistance while attempting to remove the barriers, leaving 12 members of the security forces injured, according to the official statement.

Authorities said the clearance operation was continuing to reopen the highway and restore access for residents and supply vehicles.

They said protecting civilians and reopening transport routes remained the main objectives of the operation.

Security analysts described the reported use of modern weapons and explosives as evidence of organised and premeditated violence.

They called for strict legal action against those involved in attacks on law enforcement agencies and other state institutions.

The latest violence comes after weeks of unrest in the region involving the JAAC and security forces.

The AJK government banned the JAAC in June, citing public order and security concerns. The group had been campaigning against reserved seats for Kashmiri refugees and seeking broader political and economic reforms.

Deadly clashes in Rawalakot in June left civilians and law enforcement personnel dead. Authorities accused armed JAAC supporters of attacking security forces, while the committee said security personnel had fired on peaceful protesters.

The earlier violence was followed by arrests, internet restrictions and road closures across the region, while the government and protest leaders traded accusations over responsibility for the unrest.

Reporter: Ahmed Mansoor