According to official sources, Mohammad Abid, an arrested militant affiliated with the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), admitted during interrogation that he was part of the group’s armed wing.

He confessed that he and 10 to 15 accomplices were injured during an exchange of fire with Rangers and claimed their gunfire wounded four to five Rangers personnel.

Abid further disclosed that around 100 to 150 armed militants linked to the proscribed JAAC remain deployed at various locations with weapons.

Authorities said the suspect also revealed that he had been brought from abroad around two weeks ago specifically to take part in the operation.

He admitted to being a trained sniper, a disclosure officials say confirms the presence of professionally trained armed elements among those involved in the unrest.

Security experts said these disclosures indicate the violence was pre-planned and organised, while law enforcement agencies exercised restraint, professionalism and responsibility to restore peace and maintain public order.

Authorities allege fake casualty propaganda

Officials also accused the proscribed committee of launching a coordinated disinformation campaign after its protest movement failed to gain public support.

According to authorities, a video circulating on social media shows members of the proscribed committee applying red-coloured liquid to their bodies and pretending to be dead in an attempt to fabricate casualties and mislead the public.

The footage allegedly shows the individuals lying on the ground before standing up when police approached.

Officials said the purpose of the exercise was to spread misleading content on social media, level baseless allegations against state institutions and generate public sympathy.

Experts said the alleged campaign reflected an attempt to incite anti-state sentiment through false narratives after the group’s protests failed to achieve their objectives.

Weapons, arrests and reward allegations

Authorities also said the committee’s claims of being unarmed had been disproved by fresh evidence.

According to officials, videos show armed members carrying multiple weapons and participating in attacks targeting both security forces and civilians in an effort to spread unrest in the region.

During the violence, Sepoy Ali Abbas sustained serious injuries after coming under fire and was shifted to hospital for treatment.

Law enforcement agencies also arrested another armed operative, Zohaib Khalid, during a security operation.

Officials said a US-made M4 assault rifle was recovered from his possession.

According to investigators, Zohaib Khalid disclosed that the leadership of the proscribed committee had announced a reward of Rs10 million for killing a Rangers or police officer.

Authorities said the confessional statements, recovered weapon and video evidence collectively expose the group’s armed structure and contradict its claims of being a peaceful and unarmed movement.

Investigations into the Rawalakot violence are continuing.