MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Police on Saturday claimed to have dismantled the alleged funding network of the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) by arresting four suspected operatives.
According to police, the network collected funds through alleged intimidation and extortion. Authorities also claimed the group received financial support from overseas sources.
Police alleged the funds were used to finance the activities of the banned JAAC. They claimed the money supported the Rawalakot sit-in and other violent incidents.
Officials said the arrests took place during a targeted operation against the group’s alleged financial network. The operation aimed to disrupt the flow of funds to the organization.
According to investigators, one of the arrested suspects was identified as Mehtab Ahmed. Police claimed he admitted receiving instructions from the alleged JAAC ringleader, Hamza, over the phone.
Authorities alleged Hamza directed Mehtab to collect money from various individuals. Investigators said he was instructed to send the funds to Rawalakot.
Police further claimed Mehtab was arrested while transferring the collected funds. Officials said the alleged confession formed part of the ongoing investigation.
Another arrested suspect, identified as Rizwan, also gave a statement to investigators, according to police. Authorities claimed he admitted collecting money from different individuals on Hamza’s instructions.
Police alleged Rizwan was directed to hand the collected funds to Mehtab. Investigators said the transactions were intended to support the group’s activities.
Authorities stated that investigations into the alleged funding network remain underway. They added that further arrests could follow if additional evidence emerges.
The police have not disclosed the identities of the remaining two suspects. Meanwhile, no independent verification of the allegations or the reported confessional statements has been made, and the accused have not publicly responded to the claims.
