An FIR has been registered against around 40 Army personnel, including a Commanding Officer and a Major, following allegations of vandalism and an attack on police officials at a police station in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir.
The FIR names Colonel N. Arun Gandhi, Commanding Officer of 17 Rashtriya Rifles, Major Vikas Sharma, Naib Subedar Shankar Gurkhe, and several other personnel. They have been accused of forcibly entering the police station, damaging property, and assaulting government officials and police personnel.
The police have registered cases under charges including attempt to murder and damage to public property. A Defence Ministry spokesperson said that the Army would fully cooperate with the investigation into the incident.
According to the complaint filed by the police, the incident involved an attack on DSP Vijay Kumar Bhagat and Atholi Police Station SHO Amrit Katoc.
The SHO stated in the FIR that he had gone to attend an official programme at the Paddar BDO office chaired by the District Commissioner when he received information about the disturbance at the police station. He immediately reached the spot with his team, but allegedly a group of Army personnel led by Major Vikas Sharma attacked them.
The complaint alleges that several police officers were assaulted, their uniforms were torn, and DSP Vijay Kumar Bhagat was also attacked. Police claimed that the incident appeared to be pre-planned and several personnel were injured.
The FIR further alleges that the Army personnel entered the police station carrying sticks, iron rods, and weapons. The confrontation reportedly occurred after the Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) seized an Army vehicle.
According to the police complaint, the personnel allegedly vandalised the police station, damaged government vehicles belonging to the ARTO, SHO, and SDPO, and broke the main gate before entering the premises.
The police have also alleged that the Army personnel attacked the ARTO and his personal security officer who were present at the station during the incident.
The matter is currently under investigation, with authorities looking into the circumstances that led to the confrontation between the Army personnel and police officials.