J&K's Kupwara police station clash: 3 Lieutenant Colonels among 16 Army personnel booked

NEW DELHI: A case of attempted murder and dacoity has been registered against sixteen Army personnels including three Lieutenant Colonels by Jammu and Kashmir police for their alleged involvement in a violent attack on the Kupwara police station.

The incident, which happened on the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday, is said to be triggered by the questioning of a Territorial Army jawan by the Jammu and Kashmir Police in connection with an alleged drug case.

Video footage shows a group of armed and uniformed personnel from the 160 Territorial Army, accompanied by senior Indian Army officials, storming the police station. The Territorial Army is a military reserve force composed of part-time volunteers who provide support services to the Indian Army.

The FIR states that the armed group, led by lieutenant colonels Ankit Sood, Rajiv Chauhan, and Nikhil, forcibly entered the police station premises. They then launched a brutal assault on the police personnel present, using rifle butts, sticks, and kicks without any provocation.

The situation further escalated as the Army personnel brandished their weapons, seized mobile phones from the injured police officers, and even abducted a police constable before fleeing the scene, according to the FIR.

However, senior police officers responded, helping to rescue the targeted police personnel and initiate legal action against the perpetrators.

The FIR has been registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty), 307 (attempt to murder), 342 (wrongful confinement) and 147 (punishment for rioting).

The accused also face charges under sections 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object), 392 (punishment for robbery), 397 (robbery, or dacoity, with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt) and 365 (kidnapping or abducting with intent secretly and wrongfully to confine person). Additionally, they have been booked under the Arms Act, according to the FIR.

The Kupwara deputy superintendent of police is conducting the investigation into the incident. Officials said that authorities aim to uncover the full extent of the crime and bring the accused individuals to justice.

Meanwhile, the defence spokesperson said that reports of altercation between police and Army personnel and 'beating up therein of police personnel' are misfounded and incorrect.

"Minor differences between the police personnel and a Territorial Army unit on an operational matter have been amicably resolved," said the spokesperson.

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