The banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) has blocked the main roads connecting Rawalakot and nearby markets by cutting down trees, erecting barriers and placing stones on the roads, resulting in a shortage of food supplies in the area.
According to a statement issued by the Poonch Division administration, the closure of major roads has disrupted the supply of essential food items, while transporters are reluctant to deliver goods due to the actions of miscreants.
The administration stated in a press release that joint forces launched an operation to remove trees and other obstacles from the roads to restore traffic on the Bagh-Rawalakot route. However, armed individuals present at the Kumawan area allegedly opened fire on the forces.
According to the administration, the attackers had established barricades along the roads and used modern weapons, while announcements were also made to provoke the public. The statement added that an attempt was made to obstruct the forces’ movement by pelting them with stones.
The administration stated that armed men had blocked several routes for a month, held the entire village hostage, and occupied some government and public buildings. According to the press release, these actions disrupted the supply of food and essential items to ordinary citizens. The armed groups were present at five different locations, with Bagh and the Rawalakot Road area being the most affected.
The administration said that transporters are being allowed to deliver food and beverages through the Kohala route, while other closed routes will also be reopened in phases to restore normal life.
The press release further stated that some elements are misleading the public by portraying themselves as participants in a peaceful sit-in, whereas, according to the administration, they are armed individuals occupying positions with various weapons along the Rawalpindi–Rawalakot Highway and in nearby mountainous areas.
According to the administration, operations are ongoing against the armed groups, and legal action is also being taken against those who assist or facilitate them. The statement added that ordinary citizens are being misled in the name of rights and are being used for specific purposes, while claiming that Azad Kashmir has a higher standard of living compared to other provinces of Pakistan.
The press release also highlighted that, over the past three years, prolonged marches, road blockades, and protest activities have caused significant losses to tourism, business, and investment. It added that damage to government property, attacks on security forces, and other violent incidents have negatively affected the law and order situation.
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