RAWALAKOT: Authorities said they arrested a member of a banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) in Rawalakot and recovered a US-made M4 rifle, alleging the group was involved in armed activities despite claims that it was unarmed.
Officials said video footage showed armed members of the banned group carrying multiple weapons.
They alleged that the group’s armed members were involved in attacks targeting security forces as well as civilians in the area.
Authorities said a soldier, Ali Abbas, sustained serious injuries in an exchange of fire and was shifted to a hospital for treatment.
Law enforcement agencies identified the arrested suspect as Zohaib Khalid.
According to officials, the suspect told investigators that the group’s leadership had supplied operatives with US-made M4 rifles to carry out acts of violence.
Authorities said they also recovered an American-made M4 rifle from the suspect’s possession during the operation.
Officials further claimed the suspect told investigators that the group had announced a reward of 10 million Pakistani rupees for killing a Ranger or police officer.
Authorities said the suspect’s statements and the video evidence contradicted the group’s claims that it was unarmed.
The allegations and statements attributed to the suspect have not been independently verified. The banned Action Committee has not publicly responded to the claims.
