AJK Police Abduction Claims Intensify Rawalakot Law And Order Crisis

RAWALAKOT: A fresh law and order controversy has emerged in Azad Jammu and Kashmir after four AJK police personnel were allegedly abducted while travelling to Rawalakot for official duty, according to reports carried by ARY News.

The reported incident involves Selection Grade Constable Shahid Shafiq, Selection Grade Constable Muhammad Sagheer, Constable Muhammad Ishtiaq and Constable Zeeshan Ishaq. Officials said the personnel were intercepted on their way from their homes to Rawalakot and were later taken away by individuals linked to the Joint Awami Action Committee.

Authorities said the policemen remained in captivity as efforts were being made to trace their location and secure their safe recovery. The alleged abduction has heightened security concerns in the area, particularly because Rawalakot has already been witnessing tension linked to protest calls and administrative measures.

Officials claimed the incident followed a Rawalakot sit-in that, according to the administration, failed to draw significant public participation. They alleged that some elements associated with the movement then turned toward coercive tactics to create disruption and pressure local authorities.

Official statements also referred to earlier allegations involving the same group, including the reported abduction and torture of an assistant sub-inspector and an attack on the Combined Military Hospital. These claims have added to concerns that the situation may widen beyond protest politics into a more serious policing and public safety challenge.

The Joint Awami Action Committee has been a prominent name in recent AJK mobilisations, but the administration has increasingly treated some of its activities as a threat to public order. Officials said the latest allegations would be investigated and that legal action would be pursued against those found responsible.

The matter also comes amid official claims that traders in parts of AJK were being intimidated over strike calls. Authorities alleged that shopkeepers who refused to observe shutdowns were being labelled as collaborators or traitors, creating fear among small business owners already facing economic pressure.

For residents of Rawalakot and nearby areas, the immediate concern is the safe return of the missing police personnel and prevention of further confrontation. Any prolonged standoff could deepen uncertainty, affect business activity and place additional pressure on local administration and law enforcement agencies.

The next steps will depend on the recovery operation, the registration of formal cases and whether officials can restore confidence without allowing the confrontation to escalate. The incident is likely to remain under close watch as AJK moves through a politically sensitive period marked by protests, election activity and public order concerns.