Rawalpindi Police Set Up AJK Entry Checks Amid Unrest

Rawalpindi police have established special checking arrangements on routes leading into Azad Jammu and Kashmir after days of unrest and violent protest activity in the region. The move was reported on Friday as authorities sought to regulate movement at sensitive entry and exit points connected with AJK.

According to the report, police and city traffic police personnel from Rawalpindi have been assigned to key routes including Azad Patan, Kohala-Murree, Holar Bridge, Dan Gali and Mangla. These routes are commonly used by commuters, transporters and families travelling between Rawalpindi district and different parts of Azad Kashmir.

The deployment is aimed at maintaining public safety, preventing disorder from spreading across transit corridors and ensuring that movement remains manageable during a politically tense period. Police presence at these points is also expected to help monitor traffic flow and respond quickly if demonstrations, road closures or security threats emerge.

Officials cited in the report said the checkpoints had been set up in the wake of violent protests and unrest in the sensitive region. The situation had already turned deadly during recent clashes in Rawalakot, where protesters and security personnel were caught in confrontations that left several people, including members of law enforcement, dead.

The latest security measure comes as AJK faces continuing pressure from protest movements linked to governance, political representation and public grievance issues. Demonstrations in the region have previously disrupted markets, transport routes and daily life, forcing authorities to adopt a more controlled security posture.

Rawalpindi’s role is important because the district serves as one of the main access corridors to AJK. Any disruption along these routes can affect not only local commuters but also trade movement, emergency travel, public transport and families moving between Punjab and towns across Azad Kashmir.

The decision also reflects the wider challenge facing authorities: maintaining public order without creating unnecessary hardship for citizens. Increased checking can slow travel and create inconvenience, but officials appear to view the measure as necessary while the risk of renewed mobilisation or confrontation remains high.

For Pakistan, unrest in AJK carries political and security significance beyond routine local law enforcement. Prolonged disruption can strain administrative resources, affect public confidence and complicate the government’s handling of a sensitive region where political messaging, rights concerns and security considerations often intersect.

The next few days will show whether the new checkpoints help prevent further escalation or whether authorities will need additional measures to stabilise movement between Rawalpindi and AJK. Much will depend on the intensity of protest activity, the response of local leadership and any progress toward dialogue with groups involved in the unrest.