AJK Police Officials Injured in Violent Mob Attack

In a troubling incident that underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), a police team from Sudhnoti district was violently attacked by an armed mob on Friday. This attack left six police officials, including a station house officer (SHO), with serious injuries. The incident took place around 3 AM, as the 13-member police team, led by Sub-Inspector Waqar Azeem, was returning from a raid in Dhamman village. The raid aimed to apprehend Ghazi Shahzad, one of the 18 prisoners who had escaped from Poonch district jail on June 30.

According to a press release from a spokesperson of the Sudhnoti police, there was evidence suggesting that Shahzad had been hiding in Dhamman village since September, allegedly sheltered by local residents Munir (son of Makhan), Nisar Mohammad, and his sons Saqlain, Uzair, and Zain. Despite multiple attempts to capture him, the police had been unsuccessful until this recent operation. On the night before the attack, a case was registered at the Baloch police station against those accused of harboring the fugitive.

During the raid, police successfully took Uzair into custody. However, as the police team was making their way back, they were ambushed near Udhairi village by a mob of approximately 60 to 70 individuals. Armed with axes, batons, and guns, the attackers hurled stones, fired shots, and engaged in melee combat, resulting in injuries to SHO Azeem and five other officials. The spokesperson also reported that the mob's gunfire injured several civilians, including Munir, Saqlain, and Khurram Shabbir.

This incident highlights the increasing risks faced by law enforcement officers in AJK, particularly when dealing with organized crime and fugitive apprehension. The violent response from the mob raises serious questions about community safety and the challenges police face in maintaining law and order. As the situation unfolds, it is crucial for authorities to address the underlying issues that lead to such violent confrontations, ensuring that both police and civilians can coexist peacefully.