What happened
Clashes broke out between the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) and the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Police in Rawalakot on the evening of 27 July 2026, as the group tried to enter the city during the first phase of the AJK Legislative Assembly elections, The Express Tribune reported.
An AJK Police statement said armed JAAC groups tried to “forcefully enter Rawalakot city”. It said law enforcement officials repeatedly appealed to the protesters to disperse peacefully, but that the “miscreants of the banned Awami Action Committee” rejected the appeal, tried to force their way in and opened fire, injuring two AJK Police officials.
The police said the state would ensure the rule of law, public order and the protection of citizens’ life and property, and that “indiscriminate action” would be taken against those who take the law into their own hands, challenge the writ of the state or spread violence.
JAAC said in posts on X that “indiscriminate force”, including the use of “lethal force” by the state, was being used against it. It first alleged that five people were killed and about 15 injured, and later updated the number of those it said were killed to nine, including the brother of JAAC leader Sardar Umar Nazir.
The violence came as polling in the first phase of the AJK elections closed at 6pm in 13 constituencies across Mirpur Division. The electoral process was overshadowed by the shooting of a political worker and allegations of rigging.
Why it matters
The election is being held in three phases under a revised schedule announced by AJK Chief Election Commissioner Ghulam Mustafa Mughal on 21 July. Polling in Muzaffarabad Division and the 12 refugee constituencies is set for 2 August, followed by Poonch (Rawalakot) Division on 10 August.
The clashes add to long-running tension over the reserved refugee seats. AJK’s 53-member assembly includes 12 seats for Kashmiri refugees, an arrangement the JAAC wants abolished and the government has refused to change. The dispute has been deadlocked since an October 2025 agreement that followed unrest in which at least nine people, including three policemen, were killed.
The AJK government has separately accused the proscribed JAAC of causing financial losses of Rs15 billion through violent activities and of having links with anti-state elements backed by India.
What is still uncertain
The casualty figures are disputed, and the AJK Police statement did not give its own death toll; the figures could not be independently confirmed. The outcome of the first-phase count and the conduct of the remaining phases of voting were also not yet clear.
Sources & reporting notes
This is a summary of published reporting, not independent reporting. Details are as carried by the cited source, which was reviewed on 28 July 2026.
- The Express Tribune — "Casualties reported after JAAC, police clash in AJK's Rawalakot"27-28 July 2026 · The AJK Police statement, the JAAC's claims, the disputed casualty figures and the elections background.
