The Jammu and Kashmir Police has filed a first information report against the commanding officer of the 17 Rashtriya Rifles and several other Army personnel in Kishtwar district for allegedly assaulting police officers and damaging public property, The Indian Express reported on Thursday.

The Army said that the matter was being examined through the appropriate institutional mechanisms and assured that appropriate action would be taken based on the joint investigation, PTI reported.

The FIR has been registered at Atholi police station.

The incident reportedly took place on Wednesday after a police team intercepted and seized a private vehicle owned by an Army official for alleged traffic violations.

Station House Officer Amrit Kotach was quoted as saying by PTI that around “30 to 40 personnel…led by Major Vikash Sharma and Naib Subedar Shankar Gurkhe, launched a ‘pre-planned’ attack after scaling the main gate and boundary wall of the police station”.

“They were armed with lathis, iron rods and other weapons,” the news agency quoted the inspector as saying.

Kotach added: “Their common intention was to cause fatal injuries and kill the police personnel on duty.”

He alleged that Special Police Officer Suresh Kumar was injured after being struck on the neck with the butt of a service rifle, PTI reported. The inspector added that several other personnel on duty also sustained injuries.

The FIR alleged that the Army personnel also assaulted the assistant regional transport officer of Kishtwar and his personal security officers inside the police station, PTI reported.

Attackers caused damage to government and public property and broke down the main gate of the police station, it further claimed.

The FIR names Commanding Officer N Arun Gandhi, Major Vikash Sharma, Naib Subedar Shankar Gurkhe, four sepoys and unidentified Army personnel. They have been booked under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita pertaining to attempt to murder, rioting, trespass, assault on public servants and offences under the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, PTI reported.

Army Public Relations Officer Colonel Suneel Bartwal said that they “will extend full cooperation in the legal process”.

Edited by Sneha.