Territorial Army men storm J&K thana; 3 lieutenant colonels among 16 booked

SRINAGAR: A case of attempt to murder and other offences has been registered against three lieutenant colonels and 13 others from the Territorial Army for alleged involvement in an attack on Kashmir's Kupwara police station. The army has termed the charges "misfounded and incorrect".

Four cops were injured in the alleged attack on the police station on Wednesday that followed the questioning of a Territorial Army jawan a few hours earlier by J&K Police in an alleged drugs case. The Territorial Army is a reserve force composed of part-time volunteers who provide support services to the Army.

According to the FIR, the group led by Lieutenant Colonels Ankit Sood, Rajiv Chauhan and Nikhil from 160 Territorial Army unit stormed the police station, assaulted cops with rifle butts and sticks, and kicked them.

The Territorial Army personnel seized the police officers' cellphones and abducted a constable before fleeing, the FIR stated, adding that senior cops rushed to the scene and helped rescue their targeted colleagues. A purported video of the attack also surfaced.

The FIR has been registered under various sections of IPC, including 307 (attempt to murder), 186 (obstructing public servant on duty), 332 (hurting to deter public servant), 342 (wrongful confinement) and 147 (rioting).

The accused also face charges under IPC sections 149 (unlawful assembly), 392 (robbery), 397 (dacoity with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt) and 365 (kidnapping). The Kupwara DSP is handling the investigations and officials said they aimed to uncover the full extent of the crime and bring the accused to justice.

In a statement, the Army rejected the claims of the attack on the cops. "Minor differences between police personnel and a territorial army unit on an operational matter have been amicably resolved," the statement read.