Army Personnel Booked for Alleged Assault on Police at Kishtwar Station

Jammu and Kashmir Police have registered a case against several Army personnel, including a commanding officer, for allegedly storming a police station in Kishtwar district, assaulting officers, and damaging government property. The incident, which occurred on June 24, 2026, has led to a joint investigation between the Army and police.

According to the First Information Report (FIR) filed at Atholi police station, the altercation began after a police party intercepted a private vehicle owned by an Army official for traffic violations. Station House Officer (SHO) Inspector Amrit Kotach, who was attending a meeting at the time, alleged that approximately 30 to 40 personnel from 17 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) camp Kijayee, led by Major Vikash Sharma and Naib Subedar Shankar Gurkhe, launched a pre-planned attack. They reportedly scaled the main gate and boundary wall, armed with lathis, iron rods, and other weapons.

The FIR states that the attackers assaulted police personnel, including SHO Kotach and Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Vijay Kumar Bhagat. Special Police Officer Suresh Kumar was allegedly struck on the neck with the butt of a service rifle, causing serious injuries. The complaint also names Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) of Kishtwar and his security staff as victims of assault inside the police station.

The accused reportedly caused extensive damage to government property, vandalising vehicles of the ARTO, SDPO, and SHO, and breaking the station's main gate. The FIR invokes relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including unlawful assembly, rioting, assault on public servants, attempt to murder, and criminal intimidation, as well as the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.

Named in the FIR are Colonel N. Arun Gandhi (Commanding Officer, 17 RR), Major Vikash Sharma, Naib Subedar Shankar Gurkhe, Sepoys Raj Kumar, Rahul Kumar, Anoop Singh, and Omkar Ingale, along with unidentified personnel. The Army has stated that the matter is under examination through institutional mechanisms and that it will fully cooperate with the legal process. Army PRO Lt. Col Suneel Bartwal said, 'Appropriate actions will be taken based on the outcome of the joint investigation.'