Police accuse Army personnel of storming station; Army says probe is underway
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Police have registered a case against several Army personnel, including the Commanding Officer of 17 Rashtriya Rifles, for allegedly storming Police Station Atholi in Kishtwar district, assaulting police personnel and damaging government property.
The Army said the matter was under examination through institutional mechanisms and that action would follow the outcome of a joint investigation.
An FIR (No. 17/2026) was registered at Police Station Atholi under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. Officials said the incident followed the interception and seizure of a private vehicle reportedly owned by an Army official for alleged traffic violations.
According to the FIR, the incident occurred on Wednesday between 12 noon and 1 pm when station house officer Amrit Kotach was away at a meeting chaired by the deputy commissioner.
In his complaint, inspector Kotach stated that he received a call about a “criminal conspiracy” and an assault inside the police station. The FIR alleges that the incident took place under the instructions of Commanding Officer N. Arun Gandhi.
Police alleged that 30 to 40 personnel from 17 RR, led by Vikash Sharma and Shankar Gurkhe, entered the premises after scaling the gate and boundary wall, armed with lathis and iron rods.
The complaint alleges that the personnel assaulted police staff on duty. Inspector Kotach said he was attacked by Major Sharma after returning to the station, while sub-divisional police officer Vijay Kumar Bhagat was also assaulted.
Police said special police officer Suresh Kumar sustained serious injuries after being struck on the neck with the butt of a service rifle, and other personnel were injured.
The FIR also alleges that the assistant regional transport officer and his security staff were assaulted and that official vehicles of the ARTO, SDPO and SHO were damaged, along with the police station gate.
Police said the case includes charges such as unlawful assembly, rioting, criminal trespass, causing hurt and grievous hurt, assault on public servants, attempt to murder, criminal intimidation and damage to public property.
The FIR names Colonel N. Arun Gandhi, Major Vikash Sharma, Naib Subedar Shankar Gurkhe and other Army personnel as accused, with their roles to be examined during investigation.
Army spokesperson Suneel Bartwal said the Army would cooperate with the legal process. “The Indian Army will extend full cooperation in the legal process. Appropriate actions will be taken based on the outcome of the joint investigation. At this stage, it would be premature to comment further while the investigations are in progress,” he said.
