Army Personnel Booked For Assaulting Cops, Vandalizing Police Station in J&K's Kishtwar

An FIR has been registered by the Jammu and Kashmir Police against approximately 30 to 40 Army personnel, including a Colonel and a Major, for allegedly storming the Atholi police station in Kishtwar district, assaulting police officers, and vandalizing government property. The incident, which took place on June 24, 2026, has led to serious charges being invoked, including attempt to murder and assault on public servants. The FIR, lodged at Atholi Police Station, details that the confrontation began after a police party intercepted and seized a private vehicle belonging to an Army official for alleged traffic violations. According to the complaint filed by Station House Officer (SHO) Inspector Amrit Kotach, around 30 to 40 personnel from the 17 Rashtriya Rifles camp at Kijayee, allegedly led by Major Vikash Sharma and Naib Subedar Shankar Gurkhe under the command of Commanding Officer Colonel N. Arun Gandhi, forcibly entered the police station. They reportedly scaled the main gate and boundary wall to gain entry. The FIR claims the group was armed with lathis, iron rods, and other weapons, and carried out a "pre-planned" attack on the police personnel on duty. The SHO alleged that he was physically assaulted and his uniform was torn during the confrontation. The FIR further states that Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Vijay Kumar Bhagat was also assaulted, and Special Police Officer (SPO) 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. In addition to the alleged assault on personnel, the FIR accuses the Army personnel of vandalizing government and public property. This included damage to the police station's main gate and official vehicles belonging to the Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) of Kishtwar, the SDPO, and the SHO. The ARTO and his personal security officers, who were present at the station, were also allegedly assaulted. The FIR invokes multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including unlawful assembly, rioting, criminal trespass, voluntarily causing hurt and grievous hurt, assault on public servants while discharging official duties, attempt to murder, criminal intimidation, and offenses related to damage to government property. It also includes provisions of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. Those named in the FIR include Commanding Officer Colonel N. Arun Gandhi, Major Vikash Sharma, Naib Subedar Shankar Gurkhe, and several identified and unidentified Army personnel from the 17 Rashtriya Rifles. The Army has acknowledged the FIR and stated that the matter is under examination through appropriate institutional mechanisms. A defense spokesperson assured that the Indian Army will extend full cooperation in the legal process and that appropriate actions will be taken based on the outcome of a joint investigation. While the incident has caused concern, officials from both the Army and the J&K Police are reportedly in touch to resolve the issue amicably and maintain coordination. This incident is a rare and serious confrontation between the Army and the police in the sensitive Kishtwar region. Previous clashes between security forces have been reported in Jammu and Kashmir, such as the incident in Kupwara in May 2024 where an FIR was filed against 16 Army soldiers, including three officers, for assaulting policemen. In that instance, the Army had termed it an incident of "minor differences". Public figures like Farooq Abdullah have commented on events in Kishtwar, though these were related to a cloudburst in August 2025 and not the recent clash. These unrelated comments do not impact the verification of the current news story.

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