Two Police officers, including a sub-inspector, were seriously injured after being "violently and brutally" beaten by a gang of miscreants, a senior official said on Monday, news agency PTI reported. According to Senior Superintendent of Police (Leh), PD Nitya, a FIR has been launched under relevant sections, including attempted murder, against eight absconding suspects, and special teams have been formed to apprehend them.
Speaking with reporters, Nitya stated: “Sub-Inspector Mohammad Jani and Head Constable Ghulam Rasool from Leh police station were violently and brutally assaulted by a group of youths at a restaurant during the intervening night of Sunday and Monday."
She stated that the officers went to the restaurant after getting information about some adolescents fighting and causing a disturbance. However, after they arrived at the restaurant, they were attacked, injuring both of them.
“They were evacuated to a hospital and Rasool was later referred to the tertiary hospital at Soura in Srinagar for specialised treatment,” the senior officer said.
A senior officer stated that Rs 10,000 had been approved for everyone to cover emergency medical bills.
Eight suspects have been identified, and a FIR has been filed against them under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including attempted murder. Special squads have been formed to apprehend them, according to the officer.
According to Nitya, the accused were involved in an attack on several cab drivers from Kargil some time ago and were later apprehended.
"All checkpoints have been alerted to ensure they are arrested soon," she stated, urging citizens to notify police of their whereabouts.
The police are not taking the matter lightly, and necessary legal action will be taken against anyone who attempts to give them with sanctuary, she stressed.
The event prompted outrage in Kargil, the hometown of the injured cops, with political figures seeking harsh punishment for those responsible.
Feroz Khan, Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (Kargil), said he has written to Lt Governor Brigadier (Retd) BD Mishra and spoken to Additional Director General of Police (Ladakh) DS Jamwal, requesting their personal intervention in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
“This is a heinous crime that has been committed and the culprits needs to be dealt with sternly,” Khan said.