9-10 Killed in Azad Kashmir Clashes Ahead of Muzaffarabad Long March

Fresh violence erupted in Azad Jammu & Kashmir as supporters of the banned Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) pushed toward a long march on the regional capital, Muzaffarabad. Security personnel raiding a suspected weapons cache near Rawalakot came under fire, killing an officer; in a separate clash in Sudhnoti district, a security convoy hit by stones and gunfire left seven protesters and a police officer dead. Official tolls varied between nine and ten killed with about a dozen wounded, marking the deadliest single day since the JAAC-led unrest began in June over the disputed 12 refugee-reserved assembly seats. Authorities launched a fresh security operation as the JAAC vowed to continue its march in defiance of official warnings.