16 Army Personnel Charged with Assaulting Kupwara Police Station in J&K
Sixteen army personnel, including three lieutenant colonels, have been charged with attempted murder and robbery after a violent attack on Kupwara police station in Jammu and Kashmir.
Sixteen members of the Indian Army, including three lieutenant colonels, have been charged with serious offenses including attempted murder and robbery, following a violent attack on the Kupwara police station in Jammu and Kashmir. The incident reportedly stemmed from the questioning of a Territorial Army jawan by the police in connection to a narcotics case.
The confrontation took place on the night between Tuesday and Wednesday, when an armed group of soldiers from the 160 Territorial Army, led by Lieutenant Colonels Ankit Sood, Rajiv Chauhan, and Nikhil, stormed the police station. According to the FIR, the soldiers assaulted the police officers using rifle buttstocks and sticks, resulting in significant injuries.
The situation escalated when the soldiers brandished their weapons, seized mobile phones from the injured police officers, and abducted a police constable before fleeing. Prompt intervention by senior police officers helped rescue the targeted personnel and initiated legal proceedings against the attackers.
The charges listed in the FIR include:
- Section 186: Obstructing a public servant in discharge of public functions
- Section 332: Voluntarily causing hurt to deter a public servant from duty
- Section 307: Attempt to murder
- Section 342: Wrongful confinement
- Section 147: Punishment for rioting
- Section 149: Guilt of unlawful assembly in furtherance of a common object
- Section 392: Punishment for robbery
- Section 397: Robbery or dacoity with intent to cause death or great harm
- Section 365: Kidnapping or abducting with intent to secretly and unlawfully confine a person
The accused have also been booked under the Arms Act. The investigation is being led by the Deputy Superintendent of Police in Kupwara, aiming to uncover the full extent of the offense and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Despite the severity of the incident, a defense official based in Srinagar downplayed the confrontation, stating that it was a minor operational disagreement that had been resolved amicably. This statement contradicts the detailed allegations in the FIR, highlighting the gravity of the attack on the police personnel.
The Territorial Army, a reserve force consisting of part-time volunteers supporting the Indian Army, plays a crucial role in such operations. However, this incident has raised concerns about the conduct and discipline within the unit.
The investigation continues, with authorities determined to hold those responsible accountable for their actions. The incident has also sparked a broader discussion on the relationship and coordination between the police and military forces in the region.
