A Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) political rally in Kotli, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), turned fatal on Tuesday when unidentified gunmen opened fire on a convoy, killing one party worker and leaving two others injured.
The attack unfolded as the rally moved through a central area of the city. Witnesses describe a scene of sudden panic as shots rang out, forcing supporters to scatter. The deceased, identified as a local party activist, succumbed to his wounds before reaching the district headquarters hospital.
The two injured workers remain under medical care. Hospital staff have not yet provided a detailed prognosis, though police reports suggest the victims were struck by gunfire at close range.
Local authorities have cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to track down the assailants, who fled the scene immediately after the incident. While no group has claimed responsibility, the attack has sparked immediate political friction across the region.
PML-N leadership in AJK has condemned the violence, calling it a deliberate attempt to sabotage their electoral momentum. Party officials are demanding the immediate arrest of those behind the shooting, warning that they will take to the streets if the perpetrators are not brought to justice within 24 hours.
Security has been tightened across Kotli, with police deploying additional patrols at key intersections and party offices. The volatility of the situation has left residents on edge, as local law enforcement attempts to prevent retaliatory violence between rival political factions.
The incident highlights a growing trend of political instability in the region, where campaign rallies are increasingly becoming targets for armed groups. With tensions rising, the local administration faces pressure to restore order before the upcoming electoral process is further compromised by bloodshed.
