Jammu, June 25: Jammu and Kashmir Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against several Army personnel, including the Commanding Officer of the 17 Rashtriya Rifles, over allegations of assaulting police officials and damaging government property at a police station in Kishtwar district.
According to officials, the incident occurred on Wednesday at Atholi Police Station in the remote Paddar region after police reportedly seized a private vehicle belonging to an Army officer for alleged traffic violations.
In the FIR filed by Station House Officer (SHO) Inspector Amrit Kotach, it was alleged that a group of 30 to 40 personnel from the 17 Rashtriya Rifles camp at Kijayee, led by Major Vikash Sharma and Naib Subedar Shankar Gurkhe, forcibly entered the police station by scaling its main gate and boundary wall.
The complaint claims that the Army personnel, allegedly armed with lathis, iron rods and other weapons, carried out a pre-planned attack on police officers and staff stationed at the premises.
Inspector Kotach stated that he was attending a meeting at the office of the Paddar Block Development Officer when he received information about the disturbance. Upon reaching the police station, he allegedly faced physical assault, during which his uniform was torn.
The FIR further alleges that Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Vijay Kumar Bhagat was assaulted, while Special Police Officer Suresh Kumar sustained serious injuries after being struck on the neck with the butt of a service rifle. Several other police personnel were also reported injured.
Police have additionally accused the attackers of assaulting the Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) of Kishtwar and his personal security officers within the station premises.
According to the complaint, the group also vandalised official vehicles belonging to the ARTO, SDPO and SHO, besides damaging the police station’s main gate and other government property.
The FIR includes charges under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), such as unlawful assembly, rioting, criminal trespass, causing hurt and grievous hurt, assault on public servants, attempt to murder, criminal intimidation and destruction of public property. Provisions of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act have also been invoked.
Among those named in the FIR are Commanding Officer Colonel N. Arun Gandhi, Major Vikash Sharma, Naib Subedar Shankar Gurkhe, and sepoys Raj Kumar, Rahul Kumar, Anoop Singh and Omkar Ingale, along with several unidentified Army personnel.
Responding to the allegations, Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Suneel Bartwal said the matter is being examined through established institutional mechanisms.
“The matter pertains to an FIR registered by the local police in Atholi, Kishtwar. The issue is under examination through the appropriate institutional mechanisms. The Indian Army will extend full cooperation in the legal process,” Bartwal said.
He added that any action would be taken based on the findings of a joint investigation and that it would be premature to comment further while the inquiry is ongoing.
