Army Personnel Allegedly Storm Police Station In Kishtwar; FIR Names Commanding Officer, Major

Last Updated:June 25, 2026, 13:15 IST

J&K Police file FIR against seven Army personnel and 30 to 40 others for allegedly storming Police Station Atholi, assaulting officials and damaging property, probe ongoing

The Jammu and Kashmir Police have registered an FIR against seven Army personnel, including a Major rank officer, alleging that a group of Army personnel stormed Police Station Atholi in Kishtwar district and assaulted police officials, government officers and personnel inside the station premises.

According to FIR No. 17/2026 registered at Police Station Atholi on June 24, the incident allegedly took place between 12 pm and 1 pm. The case has been filed under 17 provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 109, attempt to murder, along with Section 3(1) of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.

The FIR, accessed by News18, was lodged by the Station House Officer of Police Station Atholi. It alleges that while he was attending a government function at the Block Development Office in Paddar, chaired by the District Commissioner, he received information that a violent incident had unfolded inside the police station.

As per the police complaint, a group of around 30 to 40 Army personnel from 17 Rashtriya Rifles, allegedly acting under the directions of the unit’s Commanding Officer, entered the police station premises in what has been described as a “pre-planned attack". The FIR names Commanding Officer, a Major, Naib Subaidar and others in the first information content. Police have also mentioned 30 to 40 unidentified Army personnel whose identities are yet to be established during the investigation.

The Indian army officials told News18 that the matter is under examination through the appropriate institutional mechanisms, and the Indian army will extend full cooperation in the legal process.

“The matter pertains to an FIR registered by the local police in Atholi, Kishtwar. The matter is under examination through the appropriate institutional mechanisms. Indian Army will extend full cooperation in the legal process," they said, adding that the appropriate actions will be taken based on the outcome of the joint investigation.

The army said that at this stage it would be premature to comment further while the investigations are in progress.

The FIR alleges that the Army personnel, armed with lathis, iron rods and service weapons, forcibly entered the police station by scaling the main gate and boundary walls.

“Having made full preparations and armed with lathis, iron rods, arms and ammunition, the said group trespassed into the premises of Police Station Atholi by forcefully climbing over the main gate and the boundary walls. Their common intention was to cause fatal injuries and kill the police personnel on duty. Upon receiving a call from the Police Station regarding the forceful entry and assault, the undersigned immediately rushed back," FIR reads.

According to the complaint, when the SHO returned to the police station, he was allegedly physically assaulted by Army personnel led by a Major. The FIR further states that the officer’s uniform was torn during the altercation. Police have also alleged that the Army personnel assaulted SDPO Atholi Vijay Kumar Bhagat and several policemen posted at the station.

FIR says that a Special Police Officer, Suresh Kumar, was reportedly struck on the neck with the butt of a rifle, resulting in severe injuries. Several other police personnel were also said to have sustained injuries during the incident. The FIR further claims that the Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) of Kishtwar and his Personal Security Officers, who were present inside the police station at the time, were also assaulted during the confrontation.

Apart from the alleged assault, police have accused the Army personnel of causing damage to government property. The complaint states that official vehicles belonging to the ARTO, SHO Atholi and SDPO Atholi were vandalised, while the main gate of the police station was damaged during the incident.

Based on these allegations, police registered a case under Sections 109, 115(2), 121(1), 126(2), 132, 189(2), 190, 191(2), 191(3), 221, 324(4), 324(5), 324(6), 332(b), 351(2) and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Section 3(1) of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.

The FIR, however, does not specify the circumstances or trigger that led to the confrontation between the Army and police personnel. The reason behind the alleged clash remains unclear.

About the Author

Ieshan Wani

Ieshan Wani, senior correspondent, CNN-News18, has over eight years of experience in reporting, producing and editing news for broadcast, digital and print platforms. His reporting has mostly been fro...Read More

News india Army Personnel Allegedly Storm Police Station In Kishtwar; FIR Names Commanding Officer, Major

Read More