According to reports on Wednesday, the police have shared their version of the events that took place in Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), on July 28, 2026.
Police said that some people are presenting members of the banned Awami Action Committee (JAAC) as unarmed civilians. However, police claimed that some people in the protest were carrying sticks and weapons.
Police say protesters forced shops to close
According to reports, police said that they received several calls from people claiming that a group was forcing shops to close. Police also said that some shopkeepers who refused to close were being photographed.
After receiving the reports, police officers reached the area. Police claimed that a man in the rally opened fire first after they arrived, and then the police returned fire.
Three people were injured during the incident, according to the report. Police said that one of the injured men later died in hospital.
They also claimed that he was the person who had opened fire first. Police also said that a pistol and empty bullet shells were recovered from him and a case has been registered.
Police reject social media claims
According to reports, police said social media posts claimed that several bodies were lying on the roads. Police denied these claims and said that some people shown as injured in online posts were later taken into custody.
‘Officers were held hostage’
Police said they later received reports that roads had been blocked in Ban Khurma and Mian Muhammad Town.
According to reports, police also claimed that two Punjab Police constables, Ehtesham and Adnan, who were on election duty, were held hostage. Police said the men who stopped them tried to get information about other police officers.
Police said that a group later moved towards Rehmat Palace Marquee, where Punjab Police officers were staying for election duty. Police claimed the building was attacked with stones; they reached the area and used tear gas to disperse the crowd.
Police also claimed that firing continued from rooftops during the operation. They said an inspector was the target, but the bullet hit Constable Imran in the leg. Police added that two people passing by were also injured.
Police said Constable Imran gave his statement at the hospital. According to police, he said protesters fired first, and police responded afterwards.
Police also appealed to the public to help maintain peace, adding that internet services in Mirpur have been restored. They added that roads and markets are open and daily life has returned to normal.
Questions raised over photos
According to reports, two photos showed men wearing black clothes walking with the rally.
The men appeared to be carrying pistols. According to the reports, these were the same people who fired first when officers reached the scene.
Reports also said that more questions have been raised about photos shared on the Overseas Joint Awami Action Committee’s Facebook page.
One photo claimed to show people lying on the ground after being shot. However, other photos and videos appeared to show the same people later standing and walking with police.
Social media users have also questioned a photo of a man holding a weapon. They claimed it may have been digitally edited or created using artificial intelligence because the hand and the way it holds the weapon look unusual. These claims have not been independently verified.
