ISLAMABAD (AP) 鈥� Clashes between supporters of the outlawed and security forces in Pakistan-administered Kashmir have killed at least seven people, including four security personnel, officials said Monday.
The violence erupted Sunday after the Supreme Court of Pakistan-administered Kashmir ruled that 12 living in Pakistan are constitutionally protected and cannot be abolished without a constitutional amendment. The seats are kept for people who migrated to Pakistan from Indian-controlled Kashmir decades ago and are intended to represent communities displaced by the long-running conflict over the Himalayan region.
The landmark ruling came ahead of a protest planned by the JAAC for Tuesday.
The regional government banned the JAAC last week, citing concerns over public order and security, and arrested dozens of its followers. The group, formed in 2023, demands greater political rights for people of Kashmir and the abolition of the refugee seats on the grounds that the refugees have disproportionate influence. It is notorious for violent protests.
Police said the dead from Sunday’s clashes also included three JAAC supporters.
In a statement, regional police said a video had emerged Monday showing individuals 鈥渄esecrating the body of a policeman鈥� who was killed a day earlier when armed members of the group allegedly opened fire on officers deployed in Rawalakot, a city in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
According to the regional police, armed supporters of the group shot at security forces in Rawalakot and later surrounded the Combined Military Hospital, disrupting medical services. Authorities said security forces eventually dispersed the crowd and restored order.
Authorities said hospital operations had resumed and that major highways, markets and commercial centers were functioning normally by Monday. Police also accused protesters of setting fires and damaging government and private property. Officials said legal action was underway against those involved in the unrest.
Also on Monday, senior government, police and military officials attended funeral prayers for the slain security personnel.
for weeks, but escalated after the court responded to a presidential request seeking constitutional guidance on the refugee seats and the upcoming elections for the 45-member Legislative Assembly.
In its ruling, the court said Sunday that the 12 refugee seats could not be abolished through executive action and that any change would require a constitutional amendment by the Legislative Assembly. The court also said public order could not be disrupted in the name of political protest and that elections must be held within the constitutionally prescribed time frame.
The current assembly has completed its term, and elections are scheduled for next month.
Authorities have previously accused members of the outlawed group of targeting police and security personnel. During similar unrest last year, several officers were abducted and tortured after being taken captive.
The regional government says it accepted 36 of JAAC鈥檚 38 demands during negotiations last year involving the group, regional authorities and Pakistan鈥檚 federal government. Two remaining demands, the abolition of refugee seats and the end of benefits given to governmental officials and ministers, have to be addressed by the Legislative Assembly, due to constitutional constraints.
, both of which claim the territory in its entirety and have fought two wars over it since independence from British rule in 1947. Last year, clashes between protesters and security forces in Pakistan-administered Kashmir killed several people, including police officers.
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Associated Press writer Ishfaq Hussain in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan, contributed to this story.
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