Tarar Khel, Sudhanoti – Pakistan-administered Kashmir: A complete shutter-down strike has been observed in Tarar Khal, a town in Sudhanoti district of Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), following the reported disappearance of Hafiz Talha Shabbir, son of a prominent local leader affiliated with the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee.
Alleged Abduction Sparks Protest
According to initial reports, Talha Shabbir, son of Qari Shabbir, a core member of the Joint Action Committee, was allegedly abducted during the early hours of April 12 between 2:00 AM and 3:00 AM from Khanna Pul, Rawalpindi, where he had been staying at his maternal uncle’s residence.
Talha’s father, Qari Shabbir, is also the President of the Traders’ Union (Anjuman-e-Tajiran) Tarar Khal and Poonch Division, and a key figure in the ongoing socio-political movements for rights and transparency in AJK.
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The alleged abduction has triggered significant unrest and outrage in the region, with the Anjuman-e-Tajiran Tarar Khal immediately calling for a complete shutdown in protest. By midday, shops and businesses in Tarar Khal had closed their shutters in solidarity, demanding immediate action and safe recovery of the missing youth.
Public Reaction and Political Voices
The incident has caused widespread concern, particularly among civil society groups and political activists in AJK. The disappearance is being viewed as a serious blow to the safety of activists and their families amid rising tensions over rights-related activism in the region.
Sardar Umar Nazir Kashmiri, a senior member of the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee, shared a video message on his official social media pages, expressing deep concern over the incident and calling for urgent efforts to locate and recover Talha Shabbir.
In his message, Sardar Umar emphasized, “The silence on this matter will only embolden those responsible. The people of Jammu and Kashmir will not tolerate such disappearances. Talha must be found and returned safely without delay.”
Growing Tensions and Demands for Action
Protests in Tarar Khal and surrounding areas are expected to escalate if authorities do not respond swiftly. Civil society leaders, local traders, and action committee members are demanding a transparent investigation into the incident.
This is not the first time political activists or their families have reported intimidation or disappearance. Human rights observers have repeatedly highlighted the need for stronger protections and oversight in politically sensitive regions of Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
So far, there has been no official confirmation or statement from Rawalpindi police or federal authorities regarding the reported abduction. Attempts to reach family members have been met with silence as they await any news about Talha’s whereabouts.
International Attention Urged
Independent observers and diaspora Kashmiris are calling on national and international human rights bodies to take notice of the incident. Concerns are growing that political affiliations may be putting young Kashmiris and their families at risk, and many are urging for urgent intervention to prevent enforced disappearances in the region.
The Azadi Times will continue to follow this story and provide updates as new information becomes available.
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