Weapons dealer among 'JAAC-linked network' caught during intelligence-based operation: Tallal Chaudhry

Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry announced the arrest of a weapons dealer during an intelligence-based operation targeting a network allegedly linked to the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Chaudhry addressed a press conference in Islamabad, recalling the government's decision to proscribe JAAC in June.

He noted that questions arose regarding the political motivations behind the ban and the validity of audio clips circulating on social media, allegedly connected to JAAC. Chaudhry played a montage of news coverage on the situation in AJK, citing incidents and footage allegedly linked to JAAC and attacks on security personnel. He explained that an operation named "Intelligence-Based Operation" (IBO) led to the arrest of Zia, a weapons dealer from AJK who had been supplying weapons to close JAAC members for over a decade.

Chaudhry claimed Zia was in contact with Majid, a key figure who provided special tasks for JAAC member Sardar Amaan. An audio clip was played, purportedly of a conversation between Zia and Majid discussing the provision of armed men and Dragunov rifles. Chaudhry emphasized that there were about 200 IBOs carried out daily and that the network facilitated various illegal activities, including narcotics smuggling, vehicle trafficking, petroleum product supply, and weapon distribution.