ISLAMABAD: Deadly clashes between security forces and supporters of a banned civil rights group overshadowed the first phase of legislative elections in Pakistan-administered Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), with police on Tuesday confirming two security personnel had been killed while the group claimed at least 25 of its supporters had died during two days of violence.
The unrest marks the latest escalation in a political crisis that has gripped the Himalayan region ahead of elections. The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which emerged last year over grievances including electricity tariffs, governance and economic rights, has more recently focused its campaign on 12 seats in the Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly reserved for refugees from Indian-administered Kashmir. The group argues the arrangement allows Pakistan-based political parties to influence the formation of the regional government, while authorities say the seats are constitutionally protected and cannot be abolished without a constitutional amendment.
The regional government banned JAAC last month under anti-terrorism laws, accusing it of involvement in violent activities, allegations the group denies. The ban triggered calls for a “long march” to Muzaffarabad, while authorities pressed ahead with a three-phase legislative election that began on Monday in Mirpur division.
The latest violence erupted in the city of Rawalakot on Tuesday after polling concluded in the first phase of voting.
“The protesters are violent and armed, and they continued firing at the security forces throughout the night,” Azad Kashmir Inspector General of Police Captain (retd.) Liaqat Ali Malik told Arab News.
Malik said two security personnel, including a member of the paramilitary Pakistan Rangers, were killed while several police officers were injured.
Police said supporters of the banned group attempted to march into Rawalakot despite repeated warnings to disperse. According to an official statement, protesters opened fire on law enforcement personnel, attacked a security post, torched police and military vehicles and attempted to disrupt the electoral process after polling had ended.
Authorities also accused social media accounts linked to JAAC of circulating fabricated videos to incite unrest and warned of legal action against anyone attempting to challenge the writ of the state.
JAAC rejected the government’s account, saying its supporters had come under fire while staging peaceful demonstrations.
Abid Shaheen, a member of the group’s core committee, said 19 protesters were killed in Rawalakot on Monday and more than 50 wounded. He alleged another six people were killed on Tuesday when security forces opened fire on demonstrators in Mirpur protesting the previous day’s violence.
“Everything is available through our sources and authentic IDs confirming that 19 of our people have been killed,” Shaheen told Arab News, adding the group was prepared to provide the names and photographs of those killed. He also denied police allegations that protesters were carrying firearms.
Malik said police could not verify JAAC’s casualty figures because authorities had not received bodies or official medical documentation.
“I can only verify it when there is a formal report or when victims are taken to a hospital where a post-mortem or medical documentation is conducted,” he said.
The competing casualty claims could not be independently verified.
A local journalist Haris Qadeer who has covered the region for decades said verifying civilian deaths in AJK remained difficult because hospitals and local authorities do not routinely release detailed medico-legal data as they do elsewhere in Pakistan.
“In AJK, the only official source, a police press release, primarily focuses on casualties among law enforcement personnel, while details regarding protester casualties often remain unconfirmed by official sources,” he told Arab News.
Despite the violence, federal officials said polling in Mirpur division had concluded successfully.
Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said preliminary results showed the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) winning nine of the 13 seats contested in the division, while the Pakistan Peoples Party secured four.
He described polling as largely peaceful despite what he called isolated incidents of violence and said voting hours had been extended to accommodate a late surge in turnout.
Speaking to reporters in Islamabad, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif ruled out any dialogue with those responsible for attacks on security forces.
“No, I don’t think there will be any dialogue with them,” Asif said when asked whether the government would negotiate with those involved in the violence. “I count them among those whom we see as being in the enemy camp of Pakistan. These people too are enemies of Pakistan.”
Election officials said the remaining phases of the polls would proceed as scheduled on Aug. 2 and Aug. 10.
