As protest violence claims nine lives, AJK is devastated.

MUZAFFARABAD/ISLAMABAD: On the third day of a general strike called by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) for reforms and public facilities in the area, violence broke out in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), killing at least nine people, including three police officers, officials said Wednesday.

According to media sources, there were violent occurrences in Dhir Kot and other regions, while businesses and other activities in AJK remained closed due to the strike and communications blackout. According to the AJK government, the violence also injured 50 civilians and 172 police officers.

In a statement, the AJK administration said that authorities were trying to get the situation under control and warned the public not to fall for what they called “fake news” and propaganda that was spreading on social media with a “specific agenda.”

The walkout, spearheaded by Shaukat Nawaz Mir, the primary leader of the JAAC, brought Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, Poonch, Neelum, Bhimber, and Palandri to a complete halt. Roads were blocked, markets were closed, and internet access was limited in most of Muzaffarabad, with the exception of regions that bordered Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

Three police officers were reportedly killed and nine others were injured in an incident in Dhir Kot by armed JAAC members. Constable Khurshid and Constable Jameel from Bagh and Constable Tahir Rafi from Muzaffarabad were identified as the police officers who were martyred.

The JAAC, which coordinated the strike and demonstrations, has established a broad set of demands, such as eliminating the quota system, eliminating the benefits enjoyed by the ruling class, and abolishing the 12 assembly seats set aside for refugees.

The creation of an international airport, free healthcare facilities, AJK judicial changes, and free and uniform education throughout the region are among the committee’s other demands.

Officials pointed out that in previous rounds of talks, the governments of Pakistan and AJK had previously agreed to most of the JAAC’s demands. However, when a few problems remained unresolved, the negotiations finally broke down.

The JAAC responded by calling for protests and a strike, which began its third day in a row on Wednesday. While the demonstrators have blocked all entrance points connecting Kashmir with Pakistan, business operations in AJK are still being seriously hampered.