Government Bans Joint Awami Action Committee in Azad Kashmir

Updated: 5:34 PM PKT — June 6, 2026

Following the government’s decision to ban the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), authorities in Azad Kashmir have launched a sweeping crackdown, arresting at least 72 individuals linked to the group. Officials reported the recovery of weapons, communication devices, and documents detailing protest strategies during searches. In a significant move to control the situation, internet services have been suspended across the region.

The crackdown follows a deadly clash in Rawalakot and comes as federal forces, including Rangers and the Frontier Corps, have been deployed to secure key installations. The JAAC had planned a major long march and strike for June 9 after negotiations with the government collapsed on May 30. The heightened security and arrests have led to public anxiety, with reports of residents stockpiling essential supplies.