J&K: 3 lieutenant colonels booked for attacking police station, cops
Three army lieutenant colonels and 13 others have been charged with attempted murder and dacoity following an attack on the Kupwara police station in Jammu and Kashmir. The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday night. The alleged attack is believed to have been sparked by the interrogation of a Territorial Army jawan by Jammu and Kashmir Police in connection with a drug case.
Territorial army personnel accused of assaulting police
The First Information Report (FIR) identifies Lieutenant Colonels Ankit Sood, Rajiv Chauhan, and Nikhil as the leaders of the group involved in the attack. The FIR alleges that they forcefully entered the police station premises and assaulted police personnel using rifle butts and sticks. The situation escalated when army personnel brandished their weapons, seized mobile phones from injured officers, and allegedly abducted a constable before fleeing.
Video of the incident
Charges filed under various sections of Indian Penal Code
The FIR has been registered under several 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). Additional charges under sections 149, 392, 397, and 365 have also been filed. The accused have also been booked under the Arms Act.
Investigation underway, defense spokesperson downplays incident
The investigation into the incident is being led by the Kupwara deputy superintendent of police, according to PTI. Meanwhile, a Srinagar-based defense spokesperson has downplayed the incident, stating that reports of an altercation between police and army personnel are "misfounded and incorrect." The spokesperson added, "Minor differences between the police personnel and a Territorial Army unit on an operational matter have been amicably resolved."
