Army Commanding Officer, soldiers booked for ‘attacking’ police personnel at Kishtwar station in Jammu and Kashmir

“Jammu and Kashmir police have arrested several army personnel, including a commanding officer, for allegedly attacking a police station in Kishtwar district, assaulting police personnel and damaging government property,” officials said on Thursday (June 25, 2026).

The Army said the matter is being looked into through appropriate institutional mechanisms and assured that appropriate action will be taken based on a joint investigation.

According to officials, the incident occurred after a police party intercepted and impounded a private vehicle owned by an army official for allegedly violating traffic rules.

A First Information Report (FIR) registered at the Atholi police station said the incident took place on Wednesday (June 24, 2026) when the Station House Officer (SHO), Inspector Amrit Kotach, was away in a meeting at the Paddar Block Development Officer’s office presided over by the Deputy Commissioner.

In his complaint, Mr. Kotach said he received a phone call informing him of a “criminal conspiracy” and a violent assault that took place on the police station premises under the direct instructions of the Commanding Officer, 17 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), N. Arun Gandhi.

“Around 30 to 40 personnel from 17 RR, Camp Kijayee, led by Major Vikash Sharma and Naib Subedar Shankar Gurkh, launched a ‘pre-planned’ attack after crossing the main gate and boundary wall of the police station. They were armed with lathis, iron rods and other weapons,” the SHO said.

“Their common intention was to cause fatal injuries and kill police personnel on duty,” he said, adding that he rushed back to the station and was allegedly physically assaulted by Major Sharma.

According to the FIR, the army personnel allegedly tore Mr. Kotach’s uniform and also assaulted Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Vijay Kumar Bhagat, who also reached the spot.

“The accused army personnel, acting with common criminal intent, also brutally assaulted the deployed policemen,” the SHO said, adding that Special Constable Suresh Kumar was hit in the neck by the stock of the service rifle, causing serious injuries.

He said several other policemen on duty also sustained injuries during this “unprovoked attack”. The FIR also stated that army personnel attacked the Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) of Kishtwar and his personal security officers inside the police station.

“The attackers also caused extensive damage to government and public property, vandalized ARTO official vehicle, SDPO and SHO vehicles and broke the main gate of the police station,” the FIR said.

It said that the acts of the accused persons reveal the commission of cognizable offenses punishable under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including unlawful assembly, disorderly conduct, house-trespass/criminal offence, voluntary hurt and grievous bodily harm, assault on public servants in the performance of government official duties, attempt to murder, intimidation and intimidation of all criminals for damage to public property.

The FIR names Colonel Gandhi, Major Sharma, Naib Subedar Gurkhe, Sepoys Raj Kumar, Rahul Kumar, Anoop Singh and Omkar Ingale and unidentified army personnel of 17 RR Camp as accused. When contacted, Army PRO Lt Col Suneel Bartwal of Jammu said the matter was being investigated.

“The matter pertains to an FIR registered by the local police at Athol, Kishtwar. The matter is being investigated through appropriate institutional mechanisms. The Indian Army will extend full cooperation in the legal process.”

“Appropriate action will be taken based on the outcome of the joint investigation. It would be premature to comment further at this stage while investigations are ongoing,” he said.

Published – 25 Jun 2026 12:56 IST