In an interview with a private TV channel, journalist Haris Qadeer from Rawalakot revealed that, according to neutral sources, police had already arrested Zarnosh Naseem and Jibran, his brother, and a third individual before the explosion. During custody, a fourth person detonated a hand grenade, killing all four suspects along with two police officers and injuring several others.
Those killed include Zarnosh Jibran (from Bagh), Alfat (from Mandi Bahauddin), and an unidentified individual whose identity is yet to be confirmed.
According to SSP Poonch Riaz Mughal, the fourth person is believed to be Pashtun, but only forensic confirmation will verify his identity. Fingerprint identification at the local NADRA office was unsuccessful, and DNA samples have been sent to the Lahore Forensic Lab for further analysis.
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Social media is abuzz with skepticism following the release of images showing the body of Zarnosh, a key figure in the Hussain Kot encounter. Despite official claims that he was wearing a suicide jacket, his face and body appear largely intact, sparking widespread questions about the authenticity of the police version.
One image in particular — showing a severely injured police officer with both arms wounded — has gone viral. Commenters are asking:
“If Zarnosh had a grenade or suicide vest, how is his face unharmed?”
“Who was actually holding the grenade?”
The police have issued a statement confirming casualties on both sides but have yet to provide clarity on these inconsistencies. The situation remains tense as the debate unfolds online.
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Public outrage grows online, with زرنوش_نسیم# #JusticeForZarnosh trending across Pakistan-administered Kashmir and among diaspora groups abroad. Users are demanding a judicial probe into the case.
Hashtag #JusticeForZarnosh Trends on Twitter
Public outrage grows online, with #JusticeForZarnosh trending across Pakistan-administered Kashmir and among diaspora groups abroad. Users are demanding a judicial probe into the case.
Residents of the area state that Zarnosh was a peaceful, educated young man known for his activism and concern for social issues. “He used to speak against injustice. He was not a terrorist,” one local elder told The Azadi Times.
Authorities claim Zarnosh Naseem was wearing a suicide jacket and attempted to attack security forces. They allege he and his brother were part of a “militant cell.” No independent verification has been provided yet.
Despite growing demands, no official medical or autopsy report has been released by the authorities. This lack of transparency is fuelling speculation.
The funeral prayer of Zarnosh Naseem and Jibran Naseem was attended by a massive crowd. Eyewitnesses claim that slogans were raised demanding justice and an independent inquiry into the encounter.
Sources confirm that Zarnosh Nseem’s brother, Jibran Naseem, was also killed in the same encounter. Both bodies were handed over to the family after 18 hours.
A fierce police encounter took place this evening in Hussain Kot between the AJK Police and Jibran Naseem’s group. According to initial reports, Jibran Naseem, along with four of his accomplices, was killed during the exchange of fire. Two police personnel have also been martyred in the line of duty.
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