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  "path": "/news/2006540/sedition-cases-head-money-against-jaac-leaders-ordered",
  "publishedAt": "2026-06-10T02:27:00.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.dawn.com",
  "tags": [
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    "clashes"
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  "textContent": "• Clashes with law enforcers reported as rallies from various parts of region attempt to converge on Muzaffarabad\n• Several feared dead, two cops among scores injured\n• PM Rathore urges a return to talks\n• Five held from Muzaffarabad on suspicion of ‘links to foreign agencies’\n\nMUZAFFARABAD: Parts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) remained in the throes of a crippling shutter-down strike on Tuesday, which was punctuated by clashes between law enforcers and supporters of the recently-proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC).\n\nThe AJK government has issued orders to initiate sedition proceedings against two JAAC figures, and also announced a Rs10 million reward for information leading to the arrest of four of the group leaders.\n\nAt the same time, AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore urged a return to the negotiating table in a bid to end the tensions that have gripped the region over the past few days.\n\nThe clashes occurred when protesters from different areas of Mirpur division, comprising Mirpur, Bhimber and Kotli districts, took out rallies in line with the JAAC’s plan, envisaging a long march towards neighbouring Poonch division, en route to Muzaffarabad.\n\nIn the lakeside city of Mirpur, hundreds gathered outside the Quaid-i-Azam Cricket Stadium. They later began marching towards Plaak bridge, where they were reportedly joined by another rally from Dadyal, led by Khawaja Mehran Arshad at the border of Kotli district.\n\nOn the outskirts of Mirpur, two policemen and some protesters were injured in a brief clash in Pind Sabharwal village, an official said.\n\nHowever, most violent clashes took place in Kotli city, after a procession of hundreds arrived there from Khuiratta tehsil. Though officials remained tight-lipped, residents and members of the AJK cabinet told Dawn — on condition of anonymity — that several people, including a doctor and a woman, were killed and scores of others wounded in the clashes.\n\nAccording to initial reports, the doctor was on the roof of his home when he was hit by a stray bullet.\n\nThe strike and the ongoing closure of internet and mobile data services in the region has made it difficult to obtain real-time information from AJK.\n\nEarlier in the day, all cities, towns and villages across AJK observed a complete shutter down strike. Even the banks, medical stores and bistros were closed and public and private transport off the roads.\n\nHowever, in many areas motorcycles and a few private cars were occasionally seen moving through the streets without any disturbance.\n\nIn Muzaffarabad – the ultimate destination of protesters – riot police had taken positions in and outside government buildings and main thoroughfares to meet any eventuality. However, the capital remained completely calm on Tuesday.\n\nMeanwhile, the AJK legal fraternity boycotted judicial proceedings on a call by the AJK Bar Council, to protest the alleged arrest of senior lawyer Amjad Ali Khan, a core member of the JAAC.\n\n**Action against JAAC leaders**\n\nThe AJK government issued orders to initiating sedition proceedings against JAAC leaders Shaukat Nawaz Mir, resident of Muzaffarabad, and Mehran Arshad Khawaja, resident of Mirpur.\n\nA notification issued by the AJK Home Department accused both leaders of committing “sedition through their speeches, written material, videos and audios”.\n\nThe government has issued instructions to the Mirpur and Muzaffarabad senior superintendents of police (SSPs) under Section 196 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) to review the available records/materials.\n\nIt also directed the SSPs to register a case against Mir and Khawaja, and submit a charge-sheet in court after completing the investigation.\n\nThe two men were also among a group of four JAAC figures for whom ‘head money’ of Rs10m was announced.\n\n“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 another notification.\n\nThose named in the notification include Shaukat Nawaz Mir, Umar Nazir Kashmiri, Khawaja Mehran Arshad and Sardar Aman Khan.\n\n**Five held over ‘suspicious links’**\n\nAccording to the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan, law enforcement agencies arrested five suspects in an intelligence-based operation, seizing laptops, mobile phones, and various communication devices.\n\nDuring 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.\n\nAccording to _APP_ , investigators have uncovered evidence pointing to their alleged contact with hostile foreign intelligence agencies.\n\n‘Find a way out’\n\nIn a post on X, the AJK premier reiterated his call for the issue to be resolved through talks.\n\n“Please come back to the negotiating table. I’m requesting everyone on daily basis to resolve matters through discussions instead of fire and blood,” Rathore wrote on X.\n\nHe added that the protesters’ “abusive comments, constant threats and senseless agitation” were not helpful to anyone in AJK.\n\n“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,” the PPP leader remarked.\n\n“Everyone recognises your rights and liberties,” the AJK PM assured, stressing that both sides needed to “remain calm and find a way out through talks”.\n\n“The only weapon a political activist carries is his reasoning and negotiation skills,” he said.\n\n> **Rights bodies concerned**\n\nHuman rights watchdog Amnesty International expressed concern over the violent and sweeping crackdown on protests - including an internet shutdown, mass arbitrary arrests, and deadly use of force – and called on the authorities to take immediate steps to deescalate the situation.\n\n> Separately, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) said it was “deeply concerned by the escalating confrontation” in AJK and the loss of life among both protesters and law enforcement personnel.\n\n> _Published in Dawn, June 10th, 2026_",
  "title": "Sedition cases, ‘head money’ against JAAC leaders ordered"
}