Jammu and Kashmir Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the Commanding Officer of 17 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), along with a Major, a Naib Subedar and approximately 40 Army personnel, in connection with an alleged confrontation at Atholi Police Station in the Padder sector of Kishtwar district.
The FIR pertains to an incident on June 24, during which Army personnel are alleged to have entered the police station premises, assaulted police officials, damaged government property and obstructed public servants in the discharge of their duties. The Indian Army has acknowledged the registration of the FIR and stated that the matter is being examined through established institutional mechanisms, while assuring full cooperation with the legal process.
Vehicle Interception Led to Confrontation:
According to police officials, the incident originated when a private vehicle reportedly linked to the Army was intercepted on a narrow mountain road in the Padder region. The vehicle was allegedly driving rashly and was accused of obstructing the official convoy of Kishtwar Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma, who was travelling to Gulabgarh for an official engagement.
Police personnel, accompanied by the Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO), stopped the vehicle after the driver allegedly failed to produce valid documentation and reportedly behaved aggressively. The vehicle was subsequently impounded and taken to Atholi Police Station for verification, citing both traffic violations and security protocols applicable in the sensitive district.
Police sources stated that the Commanding Officer of 17 Rashtriya Rifles later contacted the police station to establish the vehicle’s Army affiliation. After verification, instructions were reportedly issued for its release. However, shortly thereafter, a group of Army personnel arrived at the police station, leading to the alleged confrontation.
Allegations Detailed in FIR:
The FIR, registered on June 25, describes the incident as a “pre-planned attack” allegedly carried out under the direction of Colonel N. Arun Gandhi, Commanding Officer of 17 RR, based at Camp Kijayee.
According to the complaint, around 30–40 Army personnel, allegedly led on the ground by Major Vikash Sharma and Naib Subedar Shankar Gurkhe, entered the police station premises after scaling the main gate and boundary walls. The FIR alleges that some personnel were carrying lathis, iron rods and service weapons.
Police have alleged that the group assaulted officers present inside the station.The FIR also alleges damage to official vehicles belonging to the SDPO, SHO and ARTO, in addition to damage to the police station’s entrance gate and other government property.
Charges Invoked:
The case has been registered under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) relating to:
Unlawful assembly and rioting,Criminal trespass,Voluntarily causing hurt and grievous hurt,Assault on public servants,Attempt to murder,Criminal intimidation,Mischief causing damage to public property.Relevant provisions of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act have also been invoked.
The FIR names Colonel N. Arun Gandhi, Major Vikash Sharma, Naib Subedar Shankar Gurkhe, Sepoy Raj Kumar, Sepoy Rahul Kumar, Sepoy Anoop Singh, Sepoy Omkar Ingale, along with 40 unidentified Army personnel.
Army Responds:
In an official statement, Jammu-based Army spokesperson said:
“The matter pertains to an FIR registered by the local police in Atholi, Kishtwar. The matter is under examination through the appropriate institutional mechanisms. The Indian Army will extend full cooperation in the legal process. Appropriate actions will be taken based on the findings of a joint investigation. At this stage, it would be premature to comment further while the investigations are in progress.”
Defence sources indicated that a Court of Inquiry or a joint investigation is expected to examine the complete sequence of events, including the circumstances surrounding the vehicle’s interception and the subsequent escalation. No arrests have been reported at this stage.
Operational Context:
Kishtwar district, located in the Chenab Valley, remains a strategically significant and militancy-affected region where Rashtriya Rifles formations conduct counter-insurgency operations alongside the Jammu and Kashmir Police.While Army and police forces routinely coordinate in operational deployments, incidents of direct confrontation between the two institutions remain uncommon. A similar dispute was reported in Kupwara district in May 2024, which also resulted in the registration of an FIR before being addressed through institutional mechanisms.
Investigation Underway:
The investigation remains in its preliminary stages and is being conducted by the Jammu and Kashmir Police. The Indian Army has reiterated its commitment to cooperate fully with the inquiry and has indicated that any further action will be guided by the outcome of the investigation.The incident has once again highlighted the importance of established civil-military coordination mechanisms in conflict-affected regions, where seamless cooperation between security agencies remains critical to maintaining operational effectiveness and public confidence.
(Representational image of security personnel)
