Jammu-Akhnoor Highway Turns Lawless: Journalists Attacked Amid Rise in Organized Criminal Activity, Public Outrage Mounts

jj correspondent
Akhnoor, Aug 05: In a deeply unsettling turn of events, the Jammu-Poonch National Highway and the adjoining Ring Road have become epicentres of rising criminal activity, with recent incidents revealing a disturbing pattern of organized violence, encroachment, and lawlessness. It has become increasingly unsafe as criminal activities continue to surge across the region. What began with isolated incidents of cattle smuggling, drug trafficking, and timber theft has now escalated into full-blown violent crimes, raising grave concerns over public safety and the effectiveness of law enforcement.
A shocking incident occurred late Sunday night around 10:30 PM, when two senior journalists – Atul Sudan and Ashwin Bhardwaj – were ambushed while returning home to Thathi from Dumi via the Jammu-Akhnoor Highway. According to eyewitness accounts, two Tata Mobile vehicles blocked their path – one striking the driver’s side of their car, the other blocking their escape route. Within moments, 25-30 unidentified men, armed with sharp weapons, surrounded the vehicle and tried to forcibly pull the journalists out. When they failed, they began vandalizing the car. The journalists narrowly escaped by accelerating away from the scene under extreme risk.
This brutal incident is part of a disturbing trend. In recent weeks, several similar attacks have been reported in the region. A forest guard’s vehicle was damaged in the Kalidhar forest range. A newspaper distribution vehicle was targeted with sharp-edged weapons on the Ring Road. Security forces, including SSB and local police personnel, were pelted with stones near the old bridge. Even public vehicles have not been spared. A police checkpoint at the Ek Number area was also reportedly attacked.
Law and order appear to be under siege by organized groups operating with increasing boldness. In a recent viral video, several young men were seen brandishing weapons and issuing threats to police officers. Although a few arrests were made, the accused were quickly released after being booked under only minor charges. This has sparked outrage among locals, who are questioning the police’s inaction and failure to launch thorough investigations into these elements, including their ownership of luxury vehicles and past criminal records.
The situation in Rajpura village, falling under the jurisdiction of Kanachak Police Station, is equally troubling. Large areas of government land have reportedly been encroached upon. Local sources claim several individuals from this area are repeat offenders, involved in illegal forest activities and even physical assaults on government officials. Many fear that what started as petty crime has now evolved into an organized criminal network operating openly in the region.
Following the attack on the journalists, public anger has boiled over. A host of organizations – including Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal, International Bajrang Dal, Press Club Akhnoor, Brahmin Sabha Akhnoor, Rajput Sabha Akhnoor, Jai Maa Surbhi Gaushala Trust, Trimurti Gaushala Guda Patan, Jammu Joint Students Federation, as well as former panches and sarpanches – have condemned the incident in the strongest possible terms.
These groups have issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the police and administration demanding strict and swift action. Their demands include the immediate arrest of the attackers, eviction of illegal encroachments on government land, investigation into suspicious luxury vehicles, and the reopening of all pending criminal cases involving the suspects. They have urged the authorities to restore public trust and re-establish law and order before the situation spirals further out of control.
As of now, no official statement has been issued by the district police, even as pressure continues to mount. The public, journalists, and civil society await decisive action, fearing that further delay may only embolden the criminal elements already wreaking havoc across the Jammu-Akhnoor region.