2,000 Islamabad police personnel deployed to AJK

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has deployed 2,000 Islamabad Police personnel to Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) at the request of the AJK government.

The deployment aims to help maintain law and order, but critics view the move as a pre-emptive measure to suppress peaceful protests, particularly a scheduled sit-in by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) on September 29. An official notification from the Inspector General of Police, Islamabad, outlines the command structure for the deployed force. An officer with the rank of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) from the Anti-Riot Force (ARF) will command the contingent. They will be supported by four Superintendents of Police (SPs) from various departments, including the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), Security Division, Special Branch, and the Central Police Office (CPC). The deployment includes a total of 1971 rank-and-file from the Operations, CTD, ARF, Security, and Special Branch divisions. The command and support structure also features as eight Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSP): two from Operations, one from the Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP), two from Security, two from ARF, and one from CPC. Sixteen Inspectors: Five from Operations, one from CTD, two from ITP, two from Logistics, four from Security, one from ARF, and one from CPC. As many as 1971, upper and lower subordinates have been chosen from CTD, ARF, Operations and Security Divisions, have expertise in tackling any untoward situation, police authorities concerned said when contacted by this correspondent. This deployment marks a significant mobilisation of federal police resources to assist the AJK government in managing potential civil unrest.