Former AJK PM Tanveer Ilyas says convoy attacked on the way to Rawalkot, guard killed in deadly firing
Former Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas has claimed that armed men opened fire on his convoy near Tain Dhal Kot while he was travelling to Rawalakot, killing his security guard and injuring several others.
According to a statement shared on Ilyas’ official Facebook page, the incident was an assassination attempt. The statement alleged that the attackers specifically targeted the former prime minister’s vehicle during the journey.
His personal security guard, former Special Services Group (SSG) commando Muhammad Asif, was killed in the attack. Several other people travelling in the convoy were also injured, while multiple vehicles were damaged by the gunfire.
A video shared on the same Facebook page showed an injured person being placed on a stretcher and shifted to an ambulance after the attack.
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Tanveer Ilyas, who heads the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party’s (IPP) Azad Kashmir chapter, was travelling with party leaders and workers for a two-day visit to Rawalakot when the incident took place.
At the time of reporting, Azad Jammu and Kashmir Police had not released an official statement. However, according to Geo News, DIG AJK Raja Akmal confirmed that authorities had received information about firing on the convoy.
In a video message after the incident, Ilyas strongly condemned the attack and warned that those trying to create unrest in the region would face action.
“Those trying to hijack the state, spread chaos and impose RAW’s agenda within the state cannot be given any concession,” he said. He also added that any aggression would receive a strong response.
IPP President Abdul Aleem Khan also condemned the incident, calling it “regrettable and reprehensible.” He said violence and intimidation have no place in politics and expressed grief over the death of Muhammad Asif. He also wished a speedy recovery for those injured, including former adviser Sardar Imtiaz Shaheen.
آزاد کشمیر کے علاقے ٹائیں ڈلکوٹ میں صدر آئی پی پی آزاد کشمیر سردار تنویر الیاس کے انتخابی قافلے پر ایکشن کمیٹی کے شرپسند عناصر کی جانب سے فائرنگ قابلِ مذمت اور افسوسناک ہے۔ ایسے واقعات سیاسی عمل کو متاثر کرنے کی ایک بزدلانہ کوشش ہے۔ فائرنگ کے نتیجے میں سابق مشیر سردار امتیاز…
— Abdul Aleem Khan (@abdul_aleemkhan) July 17, 2026
Tanveer Ilyas is contesting the upcoming election from LA-22 Poonch-5, Pachiot, on an IPP ticket. The seat was previously represented by his uncle, Saghir Chughtai, who died in an accident.
The attack comes at a time of political tension in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The region has witnessed protests over the allocation of 12 reserved seats for Jammu and Kashmir refugees. Sit-ins have been held in several areas of Rawalakot, while recent clashes across AJK have reportedly claimed more than 20 lives, including members of law enforcement.
