MUZAFFARABAD:Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) police have arrested two alleged drug dealers who opened fire on a police team attempting to apprehend them, injuring a constable in the process.

A police spokesperson told reporters on Sunday that the Secretariat police station in Muzaffarabad received intelligence the previous night about two suspected drug dealers, Simab and Mohsin Abbasi, who were allegedly carrying a large quantity of narcotics at Subri Bridge.

Acting on the tip-off, a police team led by Sub-Inspector Shaheedur Rehman reached the location. Upon seeing the police, Simab immediately opened fire with a pistol and struck Constable Raja Umair twice in the leg, leaving him injured.

Despite the attack, the police team acted with bravery and strategy, managing to apprehend Simab along with his pistol and his accomplice, Mohsin. A subsequent search led to the recovery of over one kg of hashish from Simab, the spokesperson said.

He said a case had been registered against the suspects at the Civil Secretariat police station under various sections, including obstruction of government duty, attacking a police team with terrorism charges, firing on law enforcement personnel, and possession of a large quantity of narcotics.

The injured constable was admitted to AIMS Muzaffarabad, where he was undergoing treatment.

AJK Inspector General of Police (IGP) Rana Abdul Jabbar visited the hospital the same night to commend the injured constable’s bravery and provided him with Rs50,000 in financial assistance.

He lauded the police team for their commitment to combating crime and ensuring public safety.

The police chief also instructed the deputy inspector general (DIG) and the senior superintendent of police (SSP) of Muzaffarabad to ensure the best possible medical care for the injured constable.

Meanwhile, the Dadyal police station in the southern Mirpur district seized 270 bottles of liquor and arrested two suspects during raids at three different locations within 24 hours. One suspect managed to escape.

Station House Officer (SHO) Dadyal, Rashid Habib Masoodi, toldDawnthat, acting on a tip-off, police raided the house of suspected drug dealer Mohammad Waqas alias Mandari in Surakhi village early on Sunday morning and recovered 220 bottles of liquor.

However, the suspect escaped into a nearby forest, and efforts were underway to apprehend him.

Prior to this, another operation was conducted in Dagar village, during which local drug dealer Basharat Hussain was arrested and 17 bottles of liquor were recovered from his possession. In Amb village, drug dealer Babar Ali, a resident of Islamgarh, was taken into custody with 33 bottles of liquor. The suspect had previously been arrested on similar charges,Mr Masoodi said.

Only on Thursday, Dadyal police had arrested another suspect, Hamza Haider, in Surakhi village and recovered 430 bottles of liquor from his possession, which he had brought for sale on the eve of Eid.

The police spokesperson reaffirmed that AJK police would continue their crackdown against drug dealers and their facilitators, both within and outside the region.

“The mission to rid AJK of drugs will persist. A ‘Say No to Drugs’ campaign has already been launched across the state and will continue until the complete eradication of narcotics and the last drug dealer,” the spokesperson asserted.

He also urged the public to support the anti-drug campaign and assist law enforcement in combating the menace.

Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2025