Four law enforcement personnel were martyred and more than 20 police and security officials sustained injuries after activists associated with the banned Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) allegedly opened fire on security personnel in Rawalakot, according to Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) police.

The incident occurred shortly before a planned protest by the organisation, which had recently been declared a proscribed group under anti-terrorism laws by the AJK government.Police officials stated that security personnel were deliberately targeted during the attack, which they described as a preplanned assault.

The AJK Inspector General's spokesperson strongly condemned the incident and confirmed the casualties and injuries among law enforcement agencies.The development comes amid growing tensions between the government and the banned group.

JAAC had previously organised major demonstrations concerning economic issues and political rights, some of which turned violent and resulted in deaths during clashes with authorities in 2024 and 2025.

A day before the incident, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry stated that the government had already fulfilled most of the group's demands through negotiations initiated by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

According to the minister, a high-level committee and a monitoring mechanism had been established to implement agreed measures, compensation had been provided to affected families, and numerous protest-related cases had been withdrawn.Despite these steps, the group announced fresh protests.

The government has also accused the banned organisation of attempting to create instability and disrupt the political environment in AJK, particularly ahead of electoral processes.Authorities continue to monitor the situation following the deadly violence in Rawalakot.