The Jammu and Kashmir Police have filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Colonel N Arun Gandhi, the Commanding Officer of the 17 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), along with several other Army personnel, following an alleged assault on police officers and vandalism of public property in the Kishtwar district on Wednesday, Indian Express reported.
The FIR names Major Vikas Sharma, Subedar Shanker Gurkhe, Raj Kumar, Sepoys Rahul Kumar, Anoop Singh, and Omkar Ingale, in addition to 30 to 40 unidentified Army jawans. The police noted that the identities of these unnamed personnel will be determined as the investigation progresses.
The accused, as per the newspaper have been charged under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including unlawful assembly, rioting, criminal trespass, voluntarily causing grievous hurt, assault on public servants in the discharge of their duties, attempt to murder, criminal intimidation, and mischief causing damage to government property.
In response, Lieutenant Colonel Suneel Baratwal, the Public Relations Officer (Defence), issued a statement saying the matter is being reviewed through appropriate institutional mechanisms. He affirmed that the Indian Army will fully cooperate with the legal process and that suitable action will be taken based on the findings of the joint investigation, adding that it would be premature to comment further while the probe is ongoing.
According to Indian Express, the altercation began when the Kishtwar Deputy Commissioner’s convoy encountered an Army vehicle on a narrow road. The military vehicle was asked to move aside, which led to a heated exchange between the two sides. Subsequently, the police took the Army vehicle to the local Atholi police station, which reportedly prompted the Army personnel to attack the premises.
The FIR details that the Station House Officer (SHO) of the Atholi police station was on official duty at the Deputy Commissioner’s Block Diwas program when he received a phone call alerting him to a “conspiracy and criminal assault” unfolding at the station.
The complaint further alleges that a group of 30 to 40 Army personnel, led by Major Vikas Sharma and Subedar Shanker Gurkhe under the direct instructions and command of Colonel Gandhi, carried out a preplanned attack.
