Kishtwar, June 24: Police Station Atholi in Kishtwar district has registered an FIR against several Army personnel, including officers of 17 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), in connection with an alleged violent incident that reportedly took place inside the police station premises on Tuesday.
According to FIR No. 17/2026, the copy of which is available, registered at Police Station Atholi under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, the incident occurred between 12 noon and 1 PM on June 24.
As per the complaint recorded by police, the Station House Officer (SHO) of Police Station Atholi was attending an official function at the BDO Office, Paddar, when information was received regarding an alleged assault and disturbance within the police station premises.
The FIR alleges that a group comprising around 30 to 40 Army personnel from 17 RR Camp Kijaiyee, allegedly led by Major Vikas Sharma and Naib Subedar Shankar Gurkhe under the command of Commanding Officer N. Arun Gandhi, entered the police station premises by scaling the main gate and boundary walls.
Police have alleged that the group was armed with lathis, iron rods and service weapons and launched a coordinated attack on police personnel present at the station. The complaint further states that the accused allegedly assaulted the SHO and SDPO Atholi Vijay Kumar Bhagat. During the scuffle, the SHO’s uniform was reportedly torn.
The FIR further alleges that SPO Suresh Kumar sustained injuries after being struck on the neck with the butt of a rifle. Several other police personnel posted at the station also reportedly suffered injuries during the incident.
According to the complaint, the Army personnel also allegedly assaulted ARTO Kishtwar and his Personal Security Officers (PSOs), who happened to be present at the police station at the time of the incident.
Police have additionally alleged that government property was damaged during the disturbance. The complaint mentions damage to official vehicles belonging to the ARTO, SHO Atholi and SDPO Atholi, besides damage to the main gate of the police station.
Based on the allegations, police have booked Commanding Officer N. Arun Gandhi, Major Vikas Sharma, Naib Subedar Shankar Gurkhe, GD Raj Kumar, Sepoy Rahul Kumar, Sepoy Anoop Singh, Sepoy Omkar Ingale and 30–40 other unidentified Army personnel.
The case has been registered under Sections 109, 115(2), 121(1), 126(2), 132, 189(2), 190, 191(2), 191(3), 221, 324(4), 324(5), 324(6), 332(b), 351(2) and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Section 3(1) of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.
Investigation of the case has been entrusted to Sub-Inspector Adarsh Kant of Police Station Atholi.
Officials have not yet issued a detailed statement regarding the circumstances that led to the alleged confrontation. The Army’s version of events was not immediately available. Further investigation is underway, and authorities are expected to ascertain the sequence of events and fix responsibility based on evidence collected during the probe.
This report is based on the contents of the FIR. The allegations mentioned therein are subject to investigation and have not yet been tested in a court of law.
