A Rangers soldier was killed and three police officers were injured after armed members of the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) clashed with security forces while attempting to enter Rawalakot in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), officials said on Tuesday.
According to a spokesperson for the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, Poonch Region, members of the banned group attempted to march into Rawalakot on Monday evening despite repeated appeals by law enforcement agencies to end their protest peacefully and avoid disrupting public order.
The spokesperson said the protesters ignored the warnings and opened fire on security personnel as they tried to enter the city, initially injuring two police officers.
Officials later said armed JAAC members attacked a security checkpoint on the outskirts of Rawalakot, where Rangers sepoy Ali Raza was killed.
The attack left another police officer injured, bringing the total number of wounded officers to three, according to security officials.
Authorities said protesters also set fire to one Rangers vehicle and one police vehicle during the violence.
Officials said law enforcement personnel exercised restraint and responded professionally despite what they described as severe provocation.
The account was provided by security officials. There was no immediate response from the banned JAAC to the allegations.