Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir (Pakistan-administered Kashmir): Azad Kashmir’s senior-most Minister and Interior Minister Colonel (R) Waqar Noor has sounded the alarm over growing security threats in the region following the discovery of a major militant network allegedly linked to the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The warning came during a press briefing held after an in-camera cabinet meeting in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan administrated Kashmir where the Inspector General of Police Rana Abdul Jabbar briefed ministers on the evolving threat landscape.
Speaking to journalists alongside key cabinet members, including Ministers Ch. Muhammad Rasheed, Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, Akbar Ibrahim Choudhary, and Information Secretary Sardar Adnan Khurshid, Interior Minister Waqar Noor revealed that multiple militants had been apprehended across various locations in Azad Kashmir, and that two suicide bombers had already entered the region.
“Azad Kashmir is under serious threat. A significant TTP network was recently dismantled, one that aimed to destabilize the peace of the region,” stated Noor.
The Minister further disclosed that TTP has reportedly appointed its own “Governor” and regional leadership for Azad Kashmir, indicating a disturbing attempt by the group to establish a shadow administrative structure within Pakistan-administered territory.
Help us expose the truth
The Azadi Times is funded by readers like you. No corporate sponsors. No government influence. Just fearless reporting.
Weapons License Ban Lifted Amid Security Concerns
In light of the heightened threat, the Azad Kashmir Cabinet has lifted a longstanding ban on issuing prohibited bore arms licenses. Government officials, legislators, senior officers, and other high-profile individuals who face credible threats may now apply for such licenses. Notably, ordinary citizens who can prove a risk to their lives may also be eligible.
“Our priority is the protection of life and property,” said Interior Minister Noor. “Any citizen who faces a real threat will be allowed to arm themselves for self-defense.”
He added that he had personally acquired licenses for two Kalashnikovs from the Ministry of Interior and would obtain more if necessary.
Militant Network Planning Large-Scale Attacks
Details emerging from the briefing suggest that a person apprehended with weapons near the Azad Pattan Bridge was part of a larger cell. According to intelligence, four additional individuals had entered the region separately with plans to regroup and carry out attacks.
“Had our agencies not intercepted them, the outcome could have been catastrophic,” Noor stated.
Officials confirmed that the network had been under surveillance, and law enforcement conducted targeted operations leading to arrests that likely prevented imminent acts of terrorism.
Call for Unity and Vigilance
The cabinet urged the public to understand the gravity of the situation and remain alert. “These threats go far beyond grievances over electricity or food subsidies,” said Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, adding that “elements exploiting public unrest are being funded by foreign enemies, similar to patterns seen in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.”
The ministers expressed concern over rising rhetoric involving terms like “non-state actors” and “non-state institutions.” Interior Minister Noor criticized the misuse of such terms:
“My son is a Major in the Pakistan Army. He holds a State Subject Certificate of Jammu and Kashmir. Is he a non-state actor?”
Noor highlighted the presence of over 25 Brigadiers, six Major Generals, and two Lieutenant Generals of Kashmiri origin serving in the Pakistan Armed Forces, emphasizing their role in defending the region.
Opposing “Fitna al-Khawarij”
Interior Minister Noor repeatedly referred to the infiltrators as part of “Fitna al-Khawarij,” a religious term often used to denote extreme militant offshoots. He urged citizens to work with authorities, share suspicious activities, and avoid falling for disinformation campaigns.
“All institutions must be united on one page. We’re asking the Awami Action Committee and the people to grasp the seriousness of this moment,” he said.
A Region on Edge
As Azad Kashmir faces unprecedented security challenges, the cabinet’s decision to relax gun license restrictions marks a significant policy shift. The TTP’s strategic interest in this sensitive region already marred by political tensions and public unrest adds another layer of complexity to the geopolitical dynamics of Kashmir.
While authorities claim that proactive steps have averted potential disaster, the presence of suicide bombers and a structured militant network point to a deeply concerning future. For now, the message from the state is clear: vigilance, unity, and preparedness are not optional—they are essential.
