Violence erupted in Azad Jammu and Kashmir when miscreants allegedly attacked police personnel, snatched their weapons, and opened fire.

An injured officer recounted that the protesters also surrounded their residence and set their belongings ablaze despite repeated warnings.

Police officers attacked amid protests

According to the injured officer, miscreants forcibly took weapons from security personnel before firing on them. Despite a ban, protesters climbed the mountains, further escalating the situation.

The incident left law enforcement on high alert as reports confirmed that homes of police personnel were targeted and belongings were burned by the crowd.

PM Shehbaz Sharif expresses concern

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep concern over the unrest and took strong notice of the incidents in Azad Kashmir. He emphasized that peaceful protest is the constitutional and democratic right of every citizen but warned against actions that disrupt public order.

Sharif appealed to the people to remain calm and assured them that the government is committed to addressing their grievances. He also directed law enforcement agencies to show patience and tolerance while dealing with protesters, stressing the need to respect public sentiments and avoid unnecessary harshness.

"The government is always ready to resolve the issues of its Kashmiri brothers," the PM remarked.

Transparent investigation ordered

The prime minister ordered a transparent investigation into the violent clashes and directed immediate assistance for families affected by the protests. He assured that accountability would follow and measures would be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.

Negotiation committee expanded

To find a peaceful resolution, Shehbaz Sharif announced the expansion of the government’s negotiation committee. Senior leaders, including Senator Rana Sanaullah, federal ministers Sardar Yousaf and Ahsan Iqbal, former AJK president Masood Khan, and PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira, have been included in the team.

The PM directed the committee to immediately travel to Muzaffarabad, engage with stakeholders, and propose an immediate and lasting solution. Members of the committee were seen preparing for departure from the helipad on Thursday.

Call for cooperation from protest leaders

Sharif also appealed to the members and leadership of the Action Committee to cooperate with the government-appointed team. He stressed that the committee’s recommendations and proposed solutions must be submitted to the Prime Minister’s Office without delay.

The prime minister announced that he would personally monitor the progress of negotiations upon his return to the country, reiterating his government’s readiness to resolve the issues faced by the Kashmiri people.

Khawaja Asif appeals for peace in AJK

In a message on X, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif appealed to the people of Azad Kashmir to remain peaceful during the ongoing protests.

He urged the protesters to reflect on the sacrifices of three generations of occupied Kashmir, who, he said, “cannot even imagine a fraction of the privileges you enjoy today.”

“They are writing the history of Kashmir’s freedom with their blood,” Asif said, recalling how an entire generation grew old in prisons after entering them in their youth. “They were hanged, they took bullets in their chests, and they continue to pay the price for their love of Pakistan every single day.”

The Defense Minister reminded citizens that soldiers martyred in the Kashmir wars included Punjabis, Pakhtuns, Baloch, Sindhis, Gilgitis, and Baltis. “Pakistan has staked its very existence for the freedom of Kashmir, and we will continue to do so. This is a matter of our faith,” he said.

Sharing a personal note, Khawaja Asif pointed out that his constituency in Sialkot hosts a large number of Kashmiri refugees. He recalled the atrocities of October 1947, when 100,000 Kashmiri Muslims were martyred while crossing the Jammu-Sialkot border. “Thousands of women were raped, and thousands more kidnapped,” he said.

“In every home in Bajwat, Hajipura, and the Pakka Garha camps, there are people who are still paying the price of their love for Pakistan with their lives,” the Defense Minister added.

Violent protests: Nine killed

The Azad Kashmir government has confirmed that six civilians and three policemen have been martyred during violent protests in Dhirkot. According to the official statement, more than 100 policemen have also been injured so far, with twelve reported to be in critical condition.

Authorities said that around 50 civilians sustained injuries during the clashes. The government has appealed to the public to remain peaceful and cautioned citizens against believing fake news being spread on social media under a specific agenda.

Details of the policemen martyred due to firing have also been released. Constables Khurshid and Jamil belonged to Bagh, while Constable Tahir Rafi, who was also martyred, was from Muzaffarabad.

The families of the slain and injured police officers have demanded strict punishment for those responsible for the violence.