Rawalakot, Azad Kashmir (PaK): Rawalakot police reportedly surrounded a house in the Pangaan Mukhiala area of Dheerkot, leading to a two-hour-long exchange of gunfire. The police eventually retreated without making any arrests. The incident occurred late on Friday, March 21.
According to local sources, the police, led by the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Poonch, cordoned off the house of Raja Ayaz. The police claimed that wanted suspects Raja Zarnosh Naseem, Alfaat, and Usama were hiding there. However, the police faced armed resistance, and after a prolonged exchange of fire, they were forced to withdraw without success.
Local residents reported that the Rawalakot police conducted the operation without coordinating with the Dheerkot or Bagh police or the local police station. The community strongly protested, citing the absence of the wanted suspects at Raja Ayaz’s house, and demanded action against the police officials responsible for the operation.
A local resident claimed that some officers involved in the raid were speaking in the Rawalakoti language and some in Punjabi. The resident also alleged that the police officers had come with the intention of staging an encounter rather than making arrests.
It is worth noting that on the same Friday, the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Sudhanoti held a press conference claiming the arrest of an alleged terrorist and the escape of three others. Police sources had claimed that the fugitives were spotted within a few kilometers of Azad Pattan earlier that day. However, later that night, the police conducted a raid in Mukhiala, Dheerkot.
The police have yet to release an official statement regarding the incident. However, a police officer confirmed that the operation took place on the night of March 21 but no arrests were made.
This incident marks a dangerous escalation, with outcomes that appear far from positive. Meanwhile, significant information is emerging regarding the arrested suspect, Saaqib Ghani. Further details are expected to be shared soon.
Haris Qadeer is a renowned journalist based in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.