In a tense and alarming incident in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, the local police have filed a case against 16 army soldiers, including three officers holding the rank of Lt Colonel, for allegedly assaulting policemen at a police station. The clash resulted in injuries to five police personnel, including the Station House Officer (SHO).
The incident, which occurred late Tuesday evening, gained widespread attention after a video purportedly showing the soldiers storming inside the police station circulated on social media platforms. According to official sources, the troops from the 160 Territorial Army unit, led by the three officers, engaged in an unauthorized entry into the police station premises, triggering a confrontation with the police personnel present.
In response to the allegations, the army has denied assaulting the cops and labeled the incident as a matter of “minor differences.” A defense spokesperson stated, “The reports of altercation between police and army personnel and beating of police personnel are mis-founded and incorrect. Minor differences between the police personnel and a territorial army unit on an operational matter have been amicably resolved.”
The First Information Report (FIR) filed by the police lists charges against the soldiers, including rioting, attempt to murder, and kidnapping of policemen. The FIR recounts that the clash ensued after the police conducted a raid at the residence of a territorial army soldier in Batpora village as part of an ongoing investigation. Subsequently, around 9:40 pm, the army soldiers allegedly launched an attack on the police station.
The FIR details the sequence of events, stating that the army personnel, without provocation, launched a severe assault on the police staff and officers present at the station using rifle butts, kicks, and sticks. As the situation escalated, senior police officers were alerted and rushed to the scene to rescue their colleagues. The accused army personnel, identified as Lieutenant Colonel Ankit Sood, Raju Chauhan, and Nikhil, reportedly brandished weapons and confiscated mobile phones from the injured police personnel and the SHO, Inspector Mohammad Ishaq.
Additionally, the soldiers are accused of kidnapping a head constable during their retreat. “While fleeing, they (army men) abducted MHC Ghulam Rasool and absconded from the spot,” the FIR stated.
Following the clash, the injured police personnel, including the SHO, were promptly shifted to a hospital for medical treatment. Their current condition is reported to be stable.
This incident underscores the delicate nature of interactions between security forces in conflict zones like Jammu and Kashmir and highlights the importance of maintaining communication and cooperation to avoid such confrontations in the future. The case against the army personnel is expected to undergo thorough investigation and legal proceedings as both sides provide their respective versions of the events leading to the clash.
Sources By Agencies
