Banned Action Committee’s alleged financial network exposed; several individuals arrested

Authorities have claimed to uncover the alleged financial network of a banned Action Committee, accusing it of collecting funds to support its activities in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

According to officials, the group was raising money by intimidating people and also receiving financial support from abroad. The funds were allegedly used to finance the Rawalakot sit-in and other violent activities.

Police conducted an operation and arrested several individuals accused of being part of the group’s financial network.

One of the arrested suspects, Mehtab Ahmed, reportedly told investigators that the group’s alleged leader, Hamza, instructed him by phone to collect money from different people and send it to Rawalakot. He further claimed that he was arrested by Azad Jammu and Kashmir Police while transporting the funds.

Another arrested suspect, Rizwan, allegedly stated that Hamza had directed him to collect money from various individuals and hand it over to Mehtab.

Authorities also claimed that Hamza’s father admitted providing money after his son requested financial assistance for Rawalakot. He reportedly said that he would no longer have any association with the banned committee.

Officials allege that the collected funds were intended to support the committee’s disruptive activities. They further stated that some individuals who had worked for the network have now publicly distanced themselves from the organization.

Some analysts quoted by officials argue that a group accused of collecting money through intimidation cannot claim to represent the rights of the people. They also claim that what began as a movement focused on public issues, including affordable flour and electricity, has allegedly shifted toward unrest, violent confrontation, and anti-state activities.

According to these analysts, the people of Azad Kashmir are increasingly rejecting what they describe as the group’s alleged anti-state agenda.