AJK govt announces Rs10 million head money for information leading to arrest of four JAAC members
The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government on Tuesday announced a reward of Rs10 million for information leading to the arrest of four wanted individuals linked to the newly proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC).
“The president of Azad Jammu & Kashmir has been pleased to fix Rs10m reward money to be granted to any person who provides information leading to the successful arrest of the following offenders belonging to the proscribed JAAC,” said a notification.
The development emerged after fatal clashes in AJK sparked competing accounts over casualties, governance grievances and political legitimacy, with official sources confirming at least seven deaths. Last week, the AJK government banned the JAAC, accusing it of involvement in terrorism, promoting hatred, and creating anarchy in the state. The ban followed the JAAC’s call for a protest on June 9. The organisation has previously spearheaded mass protests demanding economic relief and political rights, with some demonstrations ending in violence and fatalities during confrontations with law enforcement authorities in May 2024 and September 2025.
The individuals named in the notification are Shaukat Nawaz Mir, Umar Nazir Kashmiri, Khawaja Mehran Arshad and Sardar Aman Khan. It further stated that the identity of the informant would be kept strictly confidential.
The AJK Home Department also directed the inspector general of police to take the necessary steps for the immediate implementation of the reward scheme.
AJK Government has announced a reward of Rs. 10 million for information leading to arrest of proscribed JAAC offenders Shoukat Nawaz Mir, Umar Nazir Kashmiri, Khawaja Mehran Arshad and Sardar Amaan Khan. The identity of informants will be kept confidential#PakistanTV #AJK… pic.twitter.com/OBm6VlKMKS
— Pakistan TV (@PakTVGlobal) June 9, 2026
Meanwhile, Syed Faisal Gilani, a key JAAC member, announced complete disassociation from the party.
In his statement, Gilani strongly condemned the attacks in Rawalakot, saying that the “JAAC was playing a festival of blood with the lives of innocent citizens.” Gilani further stated that he had become part of the JAAC for the sake of public interests, but unfortunately, it had deviated from its original path.
“The people of Azad Kashmir are rejecting the banned JAAC violent rhetoric and proving themselves to be conscious citizens,” he said.
کالعدم جوائنٹ عوامی ایکشن کمیٹی کےاہم رکن سید فیصل گیلانی کا نام نہاد تحریک سے مکمل لاتعلقی کااعلان
اپنے بیان میں سید فیصل گیلانی نے راولاکوٹ میں جوائنٹ عوامی ایکشن کمیٹی کے پرتشدد حملوں کی شدیدالفاظ میں مذمت کرتے ہوئے کہا کہ کالعدم جوائنٹ ایکشن کمیٹی کی جانب سے معصوم شہریوں… pic.twitter.com/7N50UjoYLb
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) June 9, 2026
According to the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), law enforcement agencies conducted a targeted, intelligence-based operation in the Chehla area of Muzaffarabad, resulting in the arrest of five suspects.
According to security sources, authorities seized laptops, mobile phones, and various communication devices during the raid.
“Initial investigations into the digital devices have already revealed suspicious links and sensitive material. During interrogation, information provided by one of the detainees led to the recovery of a large cache of arms, including seven automatic weapons, multiple grenades, and other military hardware.”
https://www.facebook.com/ajkpolice/posts/%D9%BE%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%B3-%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%B2/1446145217555792/
Sources added that maps of sensitive installations, alleged attack plans, and documents related to high-security locations were also confiscated. The investigators “uncovered evidence pointing to alleged contact with hostile foreign intelligence agencies”.
As the forensic and technical analysis of the recovered digital devices and materials was currently underway, the investigators were expanding the scope of the probe to identify possible facilitators, financial backers and the broader network behind the group.
Security sources emphasised that the timely operation successfully averted a potential threat to sensitive installations and public safety.
Reaffirming their commitment to national security, authorities vowed to maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards activities threatening state security, public order and national interests, promising strict action against all anti-state elements.
Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies were continuing their comprehensive investigation and appealed to the public to immediately report any suspicious activity to the relevant authorities.
The recent intelligence-based operation, which led to the arrest of five suspects and recovery of sensitive devices, reflects Pakistan’s continued efforts to counter security threats. Authorities remain committed to proactive action against any elements seeking to destabilize the… pic.twitter.com/21qy2ewjhu
— Pakistan TV (@PakTVGlobal) June 9, 2026
Separately, Kashmiri, one of the proscribed leaders, said the group’s movement was peaceful and it would prefer to emerge with honour instead of surrendering before the authorities.
ہماری تحریک پُرامن ہے لیکن ہم ان طاقتوں کے سامنے سرنگوں ہونے کے بجائے اللہ کے حضور سرخرو ہونے کو ترجیح دیں گے
عمر نذیر کشمیری
— Awami Action Committe (@JAAC__Official) June 9, 2026
The JAAC said many people from various parts of the territory were joining it for its protest call.
صرف میرپور سے جو قافلہ اسلام گڑھ کی طرف پہنچا ہے وہ 20 ہزار سے زیادہ ہے اور انہوں نے رٹھوعہ چک ہریام پل جو ابھی تعمیر کے مراحل میں ہے
اس کا افتتاح بھی اج انہوں نے کیا ہے کہ وہ 28 کلومیٹر کا سفر طے کرنے کی بجائے سات کلومیٹر کا سفر طے کر کے اسلام گڑھ پہنچے اسلام گڑھ میں بھی…
— Awami Action Committe (@JAAC__Official) June 9, 2026
The group claimed that three young men were killed in Kotli while more continued to be injured.
کوٹلی آزاد کشمیر۔
تین نوجوان جان کی بازی ہار چکے ہیں جبکہ زخمیوں کی تعداد مسلسل بڑھ رہی ہے۔ ڈی ایچ کیو ہسپتال کے اطراف شیلنگ سے عملہ بھی متاثر ہے، مگر زخمیوں کو بچانے کی کوششیں جاری ہیں کوٹلی ہائی وے پر عوام نے شدید دباؤ کے باوجود ڈٹ کر مقابلہ کیا اور فورسز کو پیچھے ہٹا دیا…
— Awami Action Committe (@JAAC__Official) June 9, 2026
Dialogue with JAAC
AJK Prime Minister Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore once again requested the JAAC to “please come back to the negotiating table”.
In a post on X, he said: “I’m requesting everyone on daily basis to resolve matters through discussions instead of fire and blood. Your abusive comments, constant threats and senseless agitation are not helpful to anyone on this side of the LOC.
“Everyone recognises your rights and liberties. No one can dictate Kashmiris on how we should resolve our issues. All we need to do is remain calm and find a way out through talks. The only weapon a political activist carries is his reasoning and negotiation skills.”
A political activist without the ability to debate and negotiate is like a pilot without the ability to fly an airplane. They both end up causing hurt and damage to people behind them.
Please come back to the negotiating table. I’m requesting everyone on daily basis to resolve… pic.twitter.com/8GuMqaXmp3
— Faisal Mumtaz Rathore (@PMofAJK) June 9, 2026
A day earlier, he had offered to restart negotiations with the JAAC, urging protesters to return to the dialogue table.
“The people protesting in AJK are our own. No doubt about it. Agents and traitors? I don’t think so. Disillusioned? Naturally. Misguided? Surely,” he said in an X post.
“Come and sit with us. This is not a problem that can be resolved at the cost of human lives,” he said in a televised interview, adding that past negotiations had collapsed over unresolved clauses.
Rathore also acknowledged that while some protest demands, particularly related to refugee seats, require careful review, the solution must come through discussion rather than confrontation.
IMPORTANT UPDATE:
Today I had meetings with the Honorable President @AAliZardari and the Prime Minister @CMShehbaz of Pakistan. Chairman @BBhuttoZardari, other senior leaders of our party and members of the Federal cabinet were also in attendance. We held detailed deliberations… pic.twitter.com/HyOrCAx4eG
— Faisal Mumtaz Rathore (@PMofAJK) June 8, 2026
People of AJK have a right protest: PTI
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) expressed grief and concern over the loss of lives and the escalating violence.
“The recent clashes in Rawalakot and other areas, resulting in the deaths of civilians and law enforcement personnel, along with numerous injuries, have deeply saddened the party and the entire nation,” a statement issued by the party reads.
“PTI stands in solidarity with the people of AJK, who have long endured economic hardships, political marginalisation and governance failures,” the statement further reads.
The PTI strongly condemned the “excessive use of force” by the authorities against peaceful protesters.
“The people of AJK have legitimate grievances regarding economic rights, electricity tariffs, subsidies, political representation, and the abolition of reserved seats that favour outsiders at the expense of locals. Instead of addressing these issues through dialogue and meaningful reforms, the current setup in AJK has resorted to bans, crackdowns, communication blackouts, and lethal force, turning a civic movement into a bloody confrontation.
“This violence is a direct outcome of the incompetent and insensitive governance imposed on AJK by the PPP-led administration and its allies. The PPP government, which claims to champion democracy and public welfare, has once again exposed its authoritarian tendencies by proscribing a popular civil society platform and suppressing the voices of the people. Their policies of economic exploitation, elite privileges, and failure to deliver basic relief have pushed the resilient people of AJK to the brink. PTI holds the PPP and its coalition partners fully responsible for this bloodshed and the prevailing crisis of governance in the region.”
The PTI said it fully understood the unique sensitivity of the Kashmir region. As a party that has always prioritised the Kashmir cause and the aspirations of its people, it urged all stakeholders, protesters, administration and security forces to exercise maximum restraint.
“Further violence will only harm the Kashmiri cause and provide ammunition to enemies. Peaceful dialogue, not bullets and batons, is the way forward. The genuine demands of the people must be addressed urgently through inclusive negotiations.”
The party demanded an immediate end to the crackdown, lifting of restrictions, and the formation of a neutral inquiry into the recent violence. The party called upon all democratic and patriotic forces to unite in support of the Kashmiri people’s legitimate rights and to reject the politics of suppression.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Press Release
Islamabad: June 9, 2026
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf expresses profound grief and concern over the tragic loss of lives and the escalating violence in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). The recent clashes in Rawalakot and other areas, resulting…
— Sheikh Waqas Akram (@SheikhWaqqas) June 9, 2026
Background
The recent unrest and deadly clashes in areas, including Rawalakot, where the newly proscribed JAAC had been holding a sit-in outside the Combined Military Hospital Rawalakot. AJK police allege that armed JAAC members opened fire on deployed law enforcement in a planned attack, leaving four personnel dead and around 20 injured. JAAC, however, disputes this account, claiming security forces used tear gas and fired shells toward the hospital.
According to the AJK police, three individuals linked to the JAAC and four law enforcement personnel were killed during the protests on Sunday. JAAC, however, said in a statement on X that seven individuals were killed and dozens were injured when street firing was carried out in the dark after electricity was allegedly cut off.
The clash on Sunday came as the AJK government and the JAAC witnessed a face-off, as the election date for AJK was announced for July 27.
AJK’s 53-member legislative assembly includes 12 seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees — people who fled Indian-controlled Kashmir in 1947 and 1965 and are now scattered across Pakistan. Six seats represent refugees from the Jammu division (~434,000 people) and six from the Kashmir Valley (~30,000 people) — an already lopsided arrangement that many see as unfair.
The region witnessed one of its most turbulent periods in October last year when protests led by the JAAC erupted over demands for constitutional and governance reforms. At least nine people, including three policemen, were killed during the unrest.
The JAAC, which organised the protests and strike, had presented a wide-ranging charter of demands, including an end to the privileges enjoyed by the ruling elite, the abolition of 12 assembly seats reserved for refugees, and the scrapping of the quota system.
Two days after the violence, the government and the JAAC reached an agreement covering 12 core and 13 additional points. Under the accord, both sides agreed to constitute a high-level committee to examine the issue of refugee seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly.
Read More: Four police personnel martyred, over 20 injured in Rawalakot firing: AJK police
The unrest also triggered political upheaval in the region. The PPP subsequently moved a no-confidence resolution against then prime minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz joining the effort. Haq, who had been elected in April 2023 with 48 votes, chose to face the vote rather than resign.
On Nov 17, Rathore secured 36 votes in the election and became the 16th prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
With elections now approaching and the refugee seat issue still unresolved, the AJK government convened an All Parties Conference (APC) in Muzaffarabad to build consensus. Almost every major party attended — except PTI and the JAAC, who boycotted it.
The JAAC’s position is that the government had already rejected its written proposals submitted on May 30, so attending would be futile. It had proposed either keeping symbolic refugee representation until the Kashmir dispute is permanently resolved, or replacing the 12 assembly seats with 4 seats in the AJK Council — a body chaired by the Prime Minister, which it argued would better preserve the political dimension of the Kashmir cause.
The APC rejected any changes outside the constitutional and legislative framework, saying only the elected assembly could alter refugee seat arrangements. The JAAC called the resolution “a page and a half of utterly trivial lines” and accused participants of gathering to serve their own interests rather than the public’s.
The JAAC called a major protest for June 9 in Muzaffarabad, with caravans converging from across the region.
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry on Sunday rejected claims that the agreement with the JAAC had remained unimplemented, and said the government had fulfilled the vast majority of its commitments in AJK.Read More
