The Indian Army is currently probing an alleged attack by several of its officers on the Atholi Police Station in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district.
The alleged attack on police personnel and property, which took place on Wednesday, involved about 30-40 personnel from the 17 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), Camp Kijayee, led by Major Vikash Sharma and Naib Subedar Shankar Gurkhe, as per a PTI report.
The army men launched a "pre-planned" attack after scaling the main gate and boundary wall of the police station, armed with lathis, iron rods and other weapons.
An FIR registered at the station also noted that the incident took place when Station House Officer (SHO), Inspector Amrit Kotach, had been away for a meeting at the office of the Paddar block development officer, chaired by the deputy commissioner.
Kotach stated that he had received a call about the "criminal conspiracy" and the violent assault that had taken place within the premises of the police station under the direct instructions of Commanding Officer, 17 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), N. Arun Gandhi.
"Their common intention was to cause fatal injuries and kill the police personnel on duty," he said, adding that the Army personnel allegedly tore his uniform when he reached there, and also assaulted Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Vijay Kumar Bhagat, who had also reached the spot.
The attackers also caused extensive damage to government and public property, which included damage to the official vehicle of the ARTO, vehicles of the SDPO and the SHO, and to the main gate of the police station, the FIR alleged.
What was the reason for the alleged assault?
The report has noted, citing officials, that the alleged attack took place after a group of police officers intercepted and seized a private vehicle owned by an Army official, in connection with alleged traffic violations.
However, THE WEEK could not independently verify if this was connected to the assault.
"The matter is under examination through the appropriate institutional mechanisms. The Indian Army will extend full cooperation in the legal process," said Jammu-based Army PRO Lt Col Suneel Bartwal, when asked about the incident.
