Srinagar, Jun 25: Jammu and Kashmir Police registered a case against an Army commanding officer, a Major and several other personnel over allegations of assaulting police officers and vandalising a police station in Kishtwar district, officials said.

The FIR names Colonel N Arun Gandhi, commanding officer of 17 Rashtriya Rifles, Major Vikas Sharma, Naib Subedar Shankar Gurkhe and 30 to 40 unidentified Army personnel in connection with the incident at Atholi Police Station.

Police invoked multiple charges, including attempt to murder, assault on public servants and damage to government property.

Army Assures Cooperation
Responding to the development, the Army said the matter is being examined through established institutional mechanisms and assured full cooperation with the investigation.

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

Police Allege Station Was Stormed
According to the FIR filed by Atholi Police Station SHO Amrit Katoch, the incident occurred while he was attending a government programme at the Block Development Office in Paddar.

The SHO alleged that Army personnel entered the police station premises and assaulted police officers and staff.

"As soon as the undersigned entered the premises of the Police Station, the Army personnel, led aggressively by Major Vikas Sharma, physically assaulted the undersigned. During this scuffle, they tore the uniform shirt of the undersigned and launched a physical attack on SDPO Atholi, Vijay Kumar Bhagat, also," the FIR stated.

The FIR further alleged that several police personnel sustained injuries during the incident.

Damage To Vehicles, Public Property Alleged
Police alleged that the Army personnel entered the station premises armed with lathis, iron rods and service weapons after scaling the main gate and boundary wall.

According to the complaint, the group also damaged government property, including official vehicles belonging to the Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO), the SHO and the SDPO.

The FIR stated that the main gate of the police station was also damaged during the incident.

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Vehicle Seizure Linked To Dispute
According to reports, the confrontation may have been triggered after an Army vehicle was allegedly seized by the Assistant Regional Transport Officer in Kishtwar.

Police claimed that the ARTO and his personal security officers, who were present at the police station, were also assaulted during the incident.

Investigation Underway
The FIR described the alleged attack as pre-planned and claimed the group entered the police station with the intention of causing serious harm to officers on duty.

Authorities launched an investigation into the incident. No arrests have been reported so far.