Clashes Erupt in Rawalakot as Security Forces Launch Operation Against Jammu Kashmir Awami Action Committee Protesters
Webdesk-Shiza Iqbal
RAWALAKOT: Tensions escalated in Rawalakot, a major city in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, on Thursday after security forces launched an operation to remove protesters associated with the recently banned Jammu Kashmir Awami Action Committee (JKAC) from the city’s main bus terminal.
The early-morning operation reportedly resulted in armed clashes between protesters and law enforcement personnel, with claims of casualties and injuries emerging from the area. The situation remained tense as local authorities imposed restrictions on public gatherings and urged residents to exercise caution.
According to a report published by BBC Urdu, the operation began in the early hours of Thursday to clear the bus terminal, where protesters had gathered. Local journalists reported that the city’s security situation deteriorated following the operation, with tensions continuing in several areas.
A senior district administration official told BBC Urdu that the bus terminal was now under the control of law enforcement agencies. However, a number of protesters were reportedly still present at D Chowk in Rawalakot.
Police in the Poonch Division confirmed that several law enforcement personnel sustained injuries during clashes with protesters at the bus terminal on Thursday morning. Officials said further details regarding the injured personnel would be provided later.
Following the confrontation, the district administration prohibited gatherings of two or more people in the city as part of measures to prevent further escalation. Residents were also advised to remain cautious and avoid areas where tensions could develop.
The clashes come amid growing tensions surrounding the Jammu Kashmir Awami Action Committee, which was recently declared a banned organisation. The confrontation reflects the increasingly difficult situation facing local authorities as they attempt to manage protests and maintain public order.
The operation at the bus terminal appears to have become a significant turning point in the latest developments, with security forces taking control of a key public location while protesters continued to gather elsewhere in the city.
However, the available report did not provide an independently verified account of the reported fatalities or establish the complete extent of casualties on either side. Details regarding the circumstances that led to the exchange of fire also remained unclear.
Authorities are expected to provide further information as the situation develops.
With restrictions now in place and security agencies maintaining control of the bus terminal, residents remain concerned about the possibility of further confrontations.
The situation in Rawalakot continues to require close monitoring as authorities attempt to restore normalcy while preventing additional violence.
