‘Dragged, assaulted’: PUBG row turns violent in Uttarakhand; man, son injured

ROORKEE: A dispute that began over children playing the online game PUBG two months ago escalated into a brutal assault in Lathardeva village under the Jhabreda police station area on Saturday, leaving a 40-year-old man and his teenage son critically injured.

Police said Javed Ahmed and his son Junaid (16) were attacked in full public view by a group of villagers, who allegedly dragged them to the ground and assaulted them with spades, sticks and iron rods. Both suffered serious head injuries and were initially taken to Roorkee Civil Hospital before being referred to AIIMS Rishikesh.


A video of the assault later surfaced on social media, prompting police to register an FIR against nearly two dozen people under sections related to rioting and attempt to murder. The accused reportedly went into hiding after the incident, and search operations are underway to arrest them.

Officials said the dispute stemmed from an argument between the minor sons of Javed and his neighbour, Nasim, while playing PUBG. Though village elders had earlier brokered a compromise, tensions allegedly persisted. On Saturday morning, Javed was attacked while heading to the local market, and his son was assaulted when he tried to intervene.

Police said the accused are being identified based on video footage and will be arrested soon.