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One Killed in Qallan Shooting as Shutdown Eases in Major Azad Kashmir Cities

While business districts reopened in Mirpur, Muzaffarabad...

45-Year-Old Man Found Dead in Budgam’s Branwar Area

Police have launched an investigation after the...
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Reports Emerge on Alleged Suspension of DIG Police Chaudhry Sajjad Hussain in Muzaffarabad

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Social media posts and journalistic reports have sparked discussions regarding the purported suspension of senior AJK police official, though official confirmation remains awaited.

MUZAFFARABAD — Reports regarding the alleged suspension of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Police DIG Chaudhry Sajjad Hussain have circulated widely across social media platforms, drawing attention from local journalists and observers.

However, no official notification detailing the reasons or confirming the suspension has been issued by the authorities in Islamabad or Muzaffarabad. Consequently, the development remains unverified and is being treated as an emerging report based on social media circulation.

Chaudhry Sajjad Hussain has previously served in various senior capacities within the AJK police force, holding prominent administrative and operational responsibilities.

As further details are awaited, independent verification from official governmental or police sources has not yet been established. Further updates are expected if an official notification or administrative order is released.

Sardar Umar Nazir Kashmiri Vows Resistance at Mang Martyrs’ Monument, Rejects Submission to ‘Pharaohs’

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Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee member tells supporters in Mang that public rights movement will continue undeterred by pressure.

MANGLA — Sardar Umar Nazir Kashmiri, a prominent member of the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), has declared that the regional public rights movement will continue without compromise, vowing that supporters will not bow before authoritarian pressure.

Speaking at the Yadgar-e-Shuhada (Martyrs’ Monument) in Mang, Kashmiri stated that the struggle would be sustained regardless of personal risks, invoking historical traditions of sacrifice in the region.

“We will continue our struggle without fearing for our lives,” Kashmiri said during his address, adding that participants in the movement would not surrender before any modern-day “Pharaoh or Yazidi force.

“The remarks reflect the ongoing rhetoric surrounding the public rights movement in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, where the Joint Awami Action Committee has remained active on socioeconomic and administrative grievances.

Kashmiri emphasized that the movement remains committed to its foundational principles, maintaining that public mobilization and peaceful advocacy for rights will persist despite official resistance.

Martyr Commander Farooq’s Turban Placed on Sardar Umar Nazir Kashmiri in Mang Ceremony

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In a symbolic gathering in Mang, the family of late Commander Farooq handed his traditional turban to Joint Awami Action Committee member Sardar Umar Nazir Kashmiri, marking a continuation of local advocacy.

MANG — A solemn ceremony in Mang marked the passing of a traditional turban belonging to the late Commander Farooq to Sardar Umar Nazir Kashmiri, a member of the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee.

The gathering, attended by local residents and community members, featured a symbolic gesture when the late commander’s eldest son, Yasir Arafat, placed the turban on Sardar Umar Nazir Kashmiri’s head.

Local participants described the turban not merely as a garment, but as a representation of Commander Farooq’s legacy of advocating for public rights and opposing local injustices.

Residents at the event noted that the transfer serves as a gesture of trust and continuity in the region’s ongoing social and political advocacy.

Attendees emphasized that the responsibility accompanying the gesture reflects a collective commitment to upholding the principles associated with the late commander’s efforts. The gathering concluded with prayers for the family and for the memory of Commander Farooq.

Rawalakot Incident: Drone Shot Down Using Traditional Sling Method Amid Surveillance Concerns

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A circulating video from Rawalakot shows locals targeting and downfitting an unmanned aerial vehicle using a stone-slinging method, amid ongoing local concerns over aerial surveillance.

RAWALAKOT — Recent developments in Rawalakot have brought public attention to aerial surveillance concerns, following footage circulating on social media showing a drone being downed in the area.

According to details from local reports and shared video material, individuals in Rawalakot claimed to have targeted and brought down an unmanned aerial vehicle using traditional stone-throwing methods. The incident has drawn local discussion regarding the presence of flying objects overhead.

While specific official details remain limited, residents have reported previous instances of drone flights over parts of Rawalakot. Various unverified accounts and claims regarding the nature and purpose of these flights have circulated locally, with some community members expressing concern over potential surveillance activities.

Contradictory claims regarding potential damage or security implications have also appeared across public platforms. However, independent confirmation of the drone's origin, operator, or official purpose has not yet been established by local authorities.

The incident highlights growing local sensitivity surrounding unidentified aerial movements in the region, as residents continue to monitor security developments closely.

Iran Prepared to Fight for Decades to Defend Nation, Says Army Chief

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Major General Amir Hatami asserts that Tehran is ready for long-term conflict, stating that power is the only language adversaries understand.

Iran is prepared to defend its sovereignty against external threats across future generations if necessary, according to senior military leadership.

Major General Amir Hatami stated that the country remains ready to fight for the next ten to twenty years to protect its homeland. The remarks were broadcast by Iranian state television, reflecting Tehran's hardline stance amid ongoing regional tensions.

"The only way to make the enemy understand that they cannot impose their will is through the use of force," Hatami said, according to the state broadcaster.

The statements underline the country's military posture as geopolitical friction persists across the region. Iranian authorities continue to emphasize deterrence and military readiness in response to international pressure.

Tania Khan Urges Immediate Dialogue to Stop Loss of Lives in Poonch

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UKPNP leader warns that excluding Poonch and Sudhanoti from elections while security forces engage in firing and shelling is a mockery of democracy.

United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP) Senior Vice Chairperson Tania Khan has expressed deep concern over the deteriorating security situation in Azad Kashmir, particularly in Poonch, Baloch, and Sudhanoti, calling for immediate talks to halt further bloodshed.

Khan stated that residents of Poonch have faced severe restrictions and isolation for the past three months, leaving them caught in a daily struggle for survival. She criticized the ruling authorities for engaging in political power struggles instead of addressing urgent public grievances.

Excluding Poonch and Sudhanoti from the electoral process while holding elections elsewhere is a mockery of democracy, Khan said. Continuous firing and shelling in Rawalakot, Baloch, and surrounding areas have created an alarming humanitarian crisis.

"Precious human lives are being lost daily, mothers are losing their children, and women are being widowed while the ruling class remains absorbed in a shameful game of power," Khan said.

She emphasized that force has never provided a permanent solution to political and social grievances, urging authorities to abandon stubbornness and open immediate dialogue with protesters and local stakeholders in Rawalakot. She warned that attempts to marginalize or silence the people of Poonch through force will only deepen the crisis rather than resolve it.

Reiterating the party's stance, Khan stated that the UKPNP remains committed to peaceful political struggle under the leadership of Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri, and will continue to raise its voice for human rights and the protection of civilian lives across the region.

British MP Urges Government to Raise Kashmir Situation with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister

Imran Hussain calls on UK ministers to press Islamabad over human rights concerns, communications restrictions, and supply disruptions during Ishaq Dar’s visit.

LONDON — British Member of Parliament and All-Party Parliamentary Group for Kashmir Chairman Imran Hussain has urged UK ministers to directly raise the situation in Kashmir with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, during his official visit to the United Kingdom.

Hussain emphasized that the concerns of the UK’s sizable Kashmiri diaspora should be prioritized in diplomatic discussions with Pakistani authorities. He pointed to ongoing reports concerning human rights conditions, arbitrary detentions, communications restrictions, and disruptions in the supply of essential food and medical goods.

The British lawmaker called on the UK government to utilize appropriate diplomatic channels to advocate for the easing of tensions, restoration of communication systems, ensured access to essential commodities and medical supplies, and the resumption of peaceful dialogue.

Hussain maintained that any sustainable and peaceful resolution to the Kashmir question must place human rights at the center of the process, urging London to deploy its diplomatic influence toward constructive engagement.

The appeal comes during Ishaq Dar’s official visit to the UK from August 24 to 28, which included scheduled meetings with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Minister of State Stephen Doughty, and other officials.

Separately, Pakistan's Foreign Office stated that Dar met with British-Pakistani parliamentarians to discuss recent developments regarding Azad Jammu and Kashmir. According to the Foreign Office, the Pakistani government and local authorities in the region are engaging with various political parties and stakeholders to build consensus on governance and administrative matters.

Joint Awami Action Committee Calls Complete Strike in Muzaffarabad Division Over Arrests and Killings

The Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee has announced a complete wheel-jam and shutter-down strike across the Muzaffarabad division on August 29, protesting against alleged extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances of activists.

The Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC) has announced a complete wheel-jam and shutter-down strike across the Muzaffarabad division on August 29, calling on residents to register their protest against ongoing crackdowns, alleged killings, and the enforced disappearance of political activists.

Khawaja Mujtaba Banday, a core member of the action committee, urged residents of the Muzaffarabad division to observe the shutdown in an organized and peaceful manner. He described the upcoming date as a critical juncture for the region's public movement.

According to the committee, the protest aims to challenge the enforced disappearances of movement-affiliated activists, including Shaukat Nawaz Mir and several other associates, alongside broader grievances concerning recent security actions and public safety incidents in the region.

"This struggle does not belong to any single individual or group; it is the collective fight of the entire Kashmiri nation," Banday said in a statement, adding that the political movement has entered a decisive phase.

Organizers have called on the public to step out and demand accountability, emphasizing that broad community participation is vital for pressing authorities to address the committee's grievances.

The JKJAAC has been at the forefront of recent civil agitations across Pakistan-administered Kashmir, organizing demonstrations over economic pressures, utility costs, and civil rights demands.

HRC-AJK Updates Kashmir Protest Death Toll to 93 Verified Fatalities

Human Rights Council of Azad Jammu and Kashmir reports 88 civilians and five security personnel killed amid ongoing demonstrations.

MUZAFFARABAD — The Human Rights Council of Azad Jammu & Kashmir (HRC-AJK) has updated its documented casualty figures, reporting 93 verified fatalities resulting from the region's ongoing protest movement.

According to the council's latest figures, released on August 26, the updated toll includes 88 civilians and five security personnel. The tally marks an increase from the rights body's previous verification update issued on August 5.

A breakdown of the civilian casualties indicates that 40 deaths occurred prior to July 27, while an additional 48 fatalities were recorded from July 27 onward. Five security personnel deaths are also included in the council's documented summary.

The HRC-AJK stated that the figures are based on information independently verified up to this point. The council noted that ongoing communication disruptions in parts of the region continue to pose challenges for information gathering and comprehensive verification.

The released material contained a minor numerical discrepancy, with an accompanying statement referencing 86 civilian deaths while the detailed breakdown listed 88.

Amid the updated casualty report, the human rights organization called for sustained attention to the loss of life, emphasizing the necessity of peace, constructive dialogue, and accountability.

Manzoor Pashteen steps up to shoulder regional solidarity and Afghan refugee rights

As traditional figures and Afghan political circles remain silent, PTM leader Manzoor Pashteen continues organizing gatherings from the Amu River to the Indus River and protesting the expulsion of Afghan refugees from European nations.

Gatherings under the banner of "From the Amu River to the Indus River, One Nation and One Geography" are being organized under the leadership of Manzoor Pashteen, alongside ongoing demonstrations against the deportation of Afghan refugees from European countries.

These efforts led by Pashteen represent a serious national struggle rather than a routine political development.

A notable aspect of the situation is that the primary responsibility for these matters historically fell upon those who spent years using Afghanistan and the Afghan nation as core themes for their politics. Many of those figures are now silent, while Pashteen has taken up the responsibility.

In the past, Pashteen carried the weight of responsibilities traditionally left to Pashtunkhwa's conventional elders. Today, a large segment of Afghanistan's own political circles has distanced itself from the arena. Consequently, the national duty once claimed by others is being carried forward by Pashteen.

Critics who direct biased and unjustified criticism at the simple-living activist overlook the scale of the burden he carries.

Those who once championed the slogan of unity from the Amu to the Abasin have largely stepped away from the cause. In contrast, Pashteen has assumed the responsibility amidst difficult circumstances while balancing other obligations.

As security tensions persist across Pashtunkhwa, Pashteen maintains a focus on the conditions of Afghan citizens from Kabul to Herat and Badakhshan. His stance links the developments in Pashtunkhwa and Afghanistan rather than separating them.

Reflecting on this interconnected view, Pashteen has previously emphasized that local issues in Waziristan, Peshawar, and Quetta cannot be separated from conditions in Kandahar, Herat, Khost, and Badakhshan.

The involvement in the plight of Afghan refugees highlights a broader commitment to regional unity. While some individuals work as humanitarian and civil rights advocates with material and moral backing, Pashteen and the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement face ongoing challenges, opposition, and physical hardship without similar backing.