AJK places Rs10 million bounty on banned JAAC leaders

The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Home Department has released a list of four individuals wanted for alleged links to the banned Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), announcing a reward of Rs10 million for information leading to their arrest while assuring complete confidentiality for informants. The wanted persons named in the notification are Shaukat Nawaz Mir, Khawaja Mehran Arshad, Umar Nazir Kashmiri, and Sardar Aman Khan. Authorities said the Inspector General of Police has been instructed to immediately activate the reward process. The AJK government has also begun formal legal action against senior figures associated with the outlawed JAAC, including Mir and Arshad, on allegations related to sedition and activities deemed anti-state. According to officials, cases have been registered under Section 124-A of the AJK Penal Code. The Senior Superintendent of Police in Muzaffarabad has been assigned to investigate allegations against Mir, while the Mirpur SSP will oversee the inquiry involving Arshad. Authorities stated that the investigations cover alleged provocative speeches, written material, publications, and electronic communications. Proceedings are being conducted under Section 196 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, with police directed to complete investigations and submit challans before the relevant courts. Earlier this month, the government formally declared the JAAC a proscribed organisation under anti-terrorism laws, alleging its involvement in activities considered harmful to regional peace and security. Meanwhile, recent reports of unrest in Rawalakot, including casualties among security personnel, have further increased scrutiny of the banned group. Officials said a detailed statement regarding the reported deaths would be issued later. Muzaffarabad placed under Section 144 amid rising tensions in AJK