Jammu and Kashmir Police have initiated a First Information Report (FIR) against several Army personnel, including the Commanding Officer of the 17 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and a Major, following an incident at Atholi Police Station in the Kishtwar district. The allegations include the assault of police officers, vandalism of government property, and an attempt to inflict serious injuries. The incident reportedly escalated on June 24, 2026, when police apprehended a vehicle associated with the Army for reckless driving, which obstructed the convoy of Kishtwar’s Deputy Commissioner, Pankaj Kumar Sharma.
Police officers, led by the Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO), confiscated the vehicle after the driver failed to produce valid documents and allegedly used abusive language. The vehicle was taken to Atholi Police Station amid concerns tied to both traffic violations and regional security issues.
Following the vehicle seizure, the Commanding Officer of 17 RR reportedly reached out to the police to claim the vehicle. Upon confirming the vehicle’s Army affiliation, police ordered its release. However, a significant contingent of Army personnel soon descended upon the police station.
The FIR, filed at Atholi Police Station on June 25, describes the event as a carefully orchestrated attack under the directives of Colonel N. Arun Gandhi, Commanding Officer of 17 RR based at Camp Kijayee. It claims that around 30-40 soldiers, guided by Major Vikash Sharma and Naib Subedar Shankar Gurkhe, forcibly entered the police station armed with lathis, iron rods, and service weapons, breaching the main gate and boundary walls.
Inside, the soldiers allegedly assaulted various police staff, including Inspector Amrit Kotach, whose uniform was reportedly torn, and Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Vijay Kumar Bhagat. Suresh Kumar, a Special Police Officer, sustained serious injuries after being struck with the butt of a service rifle. Several other officers were also reportedly harmed, while multiple official vehicles and property were vandalized.
The FIR cites several charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), encompassing unlawful assembly, criminal trespass, grievous hurt, assault on public servants, an attempt to murder, criminal intimidation, and destruction of public property. Specific individuals named in the report include Colonel N. Arun Gandhi, Major Vikash Sharma, Naib Subedar Shankar Gurkhe, along with several unnamed personnel.
In response, an Army spokesperson stated that the incident is currently under review through appropriate institutional mechanisms, promising full cooperation in the investigation. Moreover, an inquiry is expected to clarify the circumstances surrounding the vehicle seizure and the events that followed. As of now, no arrests have been made.
Kishtwar district is a strategically significant area with a history of militancy, which necessitates a careful coordination between military and civil authorities. Previous tensions were also highlighted by a similar incident in Kupwara district in May 2024.
With the investigation currently underway, local police are handling the matter while the Army has promised to cooperate fully. Senior officials from both sides are anticipated to review developments as the investigation progresses. This incident has sparked conversations about the need for effective protocols to manage inter-agency disputes, particularly in regions marked by insurgency and complex civil-military dynamics. Further updates are expected as the case unfolds.
