The Indian Army has ordered a probe after a professor from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) was allegedly assaulted by army soldiers in the Rajouri district while en route to attend his sister’s wedding. The incident, which occurred near Lam village in Nowshera on Thursday night, has drawn sharp criticism and raised concerns over military high-handedness in civilian areas.
The victim, Liyaqat Ali, who hails from the tribal Gujjar community and serves as an assistant professor in Delhi, suffered serious head injuries and was administered seven stitches after the alleged beating by soldiers of the 58 Rashtriya Rifles.
“They didn’t even ask for proper checking. They just began hitting us,” Ali said in a video posted by PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on X. “They used a rifle to hit me on the head. I was pushed into a drain and beaten up.”
Eyewitnesses and family members said a group of six men, including two serving personnel from the Army and ITBP, were unloading wedding items from vehicles around 10 PM when they were stopped by army personnel. Despite presenting valid identification and explaining their purpose, the soldiers allegedly attacked them.
“They are from Kalakote. My son is getting married, and they were just bringing the bride’s belongings,” a relative told a police officer in the video.
The disturbing footage, shot in the dark, shows blood streaming down Ali’s neck as he calmly explains the assault. His relatives can be heard pleading with the soldiers and questioning the use of force.
“Mara kyun? Belt force hogi apni jagah, lekin bhai jo galat hai galat hai,” a police officer can be heard telling the soldiers, calling out the unjustified violence.
While locals and victims insist the attack was unprovoked, the Army released a statement claiming that soldiers had received intelligence about the possible “movement of terrorists in the area and were conducting search operations accordingly.”
“Preliminary information suggests that on being stopped, the individual tried to snatch the weapons of the soldiers on duty and initiated a scuffle with them,” read the Army’s statement.
However, this version has been firmly denied by the victims and eyewitnesses.
“Even the soldiers present there did not accuse us of any weapon snatching,” said a relative. “Their own behaviour contradicted this new claim.”
Locals also alleged that an ITBP personnel was beaten at the same spot.
Mehbooba Mufti condemned the attack, calling it a “shocking act that has shattered a common man’s faith in the system.”
“It is especially painful given that the victim’s family has proudly served in the Indian Army,” she said, demanding strict action against the personnel involved.
Civil society members and activists have echoed her concerns, questioning the Army’s accountability in civilian areas.
Despite the outrage, police officials remain tight-lipped. Station House Officer Arjun Mangotra confirmed that a case has been filed but did not reveal the specific charges or whether the soldiers have been named in the FIR.
“We showed our IDs. We are law-abiding citizens. Is this how you treat people in a democracy?” one of the victims asked.
