Army orders probe after university professor claims assault by troops
The Army on Friday ordered an inquiry after an assistant professor accused troops of assaulting him during a vehicle check in a village in Rajouri district, officials said. Ali reportedly sustained head injuries in the alleged assault near the border village of Laam late Thursday night, and a purported video showing the bleeding professor has surfaced online.
Liaqat Ali, associated with Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), said he was travelling with his brother and other relatives in the Nowshera area when the incident occurred. He claimed that his relatives—some of whom serve in the Army and his younger brother, who is in the ITBP—were accompanying him in civilian clothes at the time.
Videos of the incident, which show an exchange of words between Army personnel and the group, have gone viral on social media.
In a Facebook post, Ali wrote that he was “assaulted” without any provocation. “My entire family is in the Army, and I have always been proud of that—proud of the uniform, the service, the sacrifice. But today, what I experienced shook that pride to the core. Without any reason, without any question, I was assaulted—hit on the head with a weapon by the very people I once trusted blindly,” he said. The post included a photo of him bleeding.
“It made me realise one terrifying truth: if the system chooses to, it can ‘encounter’ any human being—without evidence, without trial, without justice. There’s no apology that can undo this wound. Only one haunting question remains—has justice now become the privilege of the uniform alone?” he added.
Javid Iqbal, one of Ali’s cousins, told The Tribune that the family wants strict action taken against the Army personnel involved. “Apart from Professor Ali, his younger brother, who is in the ITBP, was also beaten. Other relatives, who serve in the Army, were abused by the troops,” he said.
Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said “deeply disturbing visuals have emerged” from Nowshera, where Army personnel were “seen mercilessly assaulting the professor.”
“The professor, accompanied by his brothers, was en route to attend his sister’s wedding when the incident occurred. This shocking act has shattered a common man’s faith—especially painful given that the victim’s family has proudly served in the Indian Army,” she said on X, urging the Army to take immediate and strict action against those responsible.
“Such individuals tarnish the reputation of a respected institution through their unacceptable and high-handed behaviour,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Army stated that it has launched a probe into the matter. In a statement, Army said an incident has come to light wherein certain individuals were allegedly manhandled by Army personnel.
The Army noted that it had received intelligence on the possible movement of “terrorists in a vehicle in this sensitive area.” “Accordingly, search operations were being conducted. Preliminary information suggests that on being stopped, the individual tried to snatch a weapon from the soldiers on duty and initiated a scuffle with them,” the statement read.
The Army further stated that should any personnel be found guilty of misconduct, strict action would be taken in accordance with existing laws.
“The Indian Army remains steadfast in upholding the highest standards of professionalism and discipline in the conduct of counter-terror operations. All sections of society are requested to continue to cooperate and collaborate with the Indian Army for collective and comprehensive security in this sensitive area,” the statement concluded.
J & K