MIRPUR / KOTLI — A Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) worker was shot dead in Kotli district’s Nakyal tehsil on Monday as the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) general elections was marred by violence. The incident occurred amid widespread allegations of voter intimidation, electoral fraud, and clashes between rival party supporters in 13 constituencies across the Mirpur division.
Polling began at 8:00 AM in the three districts of Mirpur division — Bhimber, Mirpur, and Kotli — and was originally scheduled to end at 5:00 PM. However, Mirpur Commissioner Raja Tahir Mumtaz announced an extension until 6:00 PM across all stations due to delays and security-related disruptions.
ایل اے-9 نکیال میں پاکستان پیپلزپارٹی کے کارکن مختار یونس ولد کامران کے قتل کا واقعہ، ذمہ داروں کو فوری گرفتار کیا جائے، سردار عبدالشکور، انچارج الیکشن سیل، پاکستان پیپلزپارٹی آزاد جموں و کشمیر
مظفرآباد: پاکستان پیپلزپارٹی آزاد جموں و کشمیر کے الیکشن سیل کے انچارج سردار… pic.twitter.com/j2z1gvp0hb
— Pakistan Peoples Party – PPP (@PPP_Org) July 27, 2026
Violence Escalates in Kotli-II (Nakyal)
The situation turned deadly in constituency LA-9 Kotli-II (Nakyal) during the afternoon. The PPP claimed that its worker, Mukhtar Younus, was killed in an armed clash involving supporters of PML-N candidate Sardar Umair Naeem.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari expressed deep sorrow over the killing, holding the PML-N candidate responsible for the firing and criticising election authorities for failing to act on earlier warnings about open displays of weapons.
“Where are the relevant authorities? What is the Election Commission doing? A video had emerged two days ago showing firing in public… if action had been taken, a life would not have been lost.”
— Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, PPP Chairman
Polling Suspensions, Arson, and Pre-Poll Rigging Allegations
The first phase faced significant disruptions, leading to the suspension of polling at five stations in Kotli and Bhimber districts. Re-polling at these sites will be decided based on whether the missing votes could affect the final result.
| Location / Constituency | Incident Description | Legal & Operational Action |
|---|---|---|
| LA-9 Kotli-II (Nakyal) | Fatal armed skirmish; 1 PPP worker killed. | Investigation launched; PPP demands immediate arrests. |
| Bhimber (Samahni Tehsil) | IPP supporters seized ballot boxes; one set on fire. | Police arrested 30 individuals; PML-N filed formal complaint with DRO. |
| LA-10 Kotli | Three presiding officers left stations and stayed at a private residence with polling materials. | FIR registered; all 3 officers arrested and suspended. |
| LA-12 Kotli-V (Throchi) | Armed men allegedly entered polling stations to influence voters. | PPP urged Election Commission to restore security. |
Earlier, PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah accused AJK PPP President Chaudhry Yasin of pre-poll rigging in LA-10. PPP leader Nadeem Afzal Chan rejected the allegations, claiming the federal government was misusing state resources and distributing e-buses to influence voters in AJK.
Security Deployment and Phased Election Roadmap
AJK Inspector General of Police (retd) Captain Liaqat Ali Malik described the overall situation as largely under control, noting that minor political scuffles are common during competitive elections.
A three-tier security arrangement involving 18,560 personnel — including police, Pakistan Rangers, Federal Constabulary, and 2,100 Pakistan Army troops — was deployed across 2,316 polling stations, with 1,241 marked as highly sensitive.
Polling in AJK is being conducted in three phases:
- Phase 1 (July 27): 13 constituencies across Mirpur division (Mirpur, Kotli, Bhimber).
- Phase 2 (August 2):9 constituencies in Muzaffarabad division and 12 Jammu & Kashmir refugee constituencies.
- Phase 3 (August 10): 11 constituencies across Poonch division.
