Professor Alleges Assault by Soldiers in J&K’s Rajouri, Army Orders Probe Amid Public Outrage

Rajouri/Jammu:
A deeply disturbing incident from Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district has sparked outrage and calls for justice, after Liaqat Ali, a university professor with Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), claimed he was assaulted by Indian Army personnel during a vehicle check near the border village of Laam late Thursday night.

A video that has surfaced online shows the professor bleeding from the head, reinforcing his claims. Ali says he was struck with a weapon after stepping out of his vehicle to show his identity card. His relatives, some of whom serve in the Indian Army and ITBP, were also allegedly mistreated during the incident. The group was returning from a family function.

The professor’s emotional statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) has gone viral:

“My entire family is in the army… But today, what I experienced shook that pride to the core. I was assaulted—hit on the head with a weapon by the very people I once trusted blindly… Has justice now become the privilege of the uniform alone?”

Ali had to undergo medical treatment, including stitches and tests at Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu.

In response, the Indian Army has initiated an inquiry into the matter. In a statement, the army said they had inputs about potential terrorist movement in the area, and were conducting checks as part of counter-terror operations. They claimed that the professor may have gotten into a scuffle with personnel after allegedly trying to snatch a weapon—an allegation strongly denied by the professor.

The army emphasized its commitment to professionalism and discipline, stating that if any wrongdoing is found, strict action will follow.

Meanwhile, police have registered an FIR against unidentified army personnel under Sections 126(2) and 115(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Political leaders reacted swiftly:

Former J&K CM and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti condemned the incident and urged immediate action, warning that “such individuals tarnish the reputation of a respected institution.”

Former BJP J&K president Ravinder Raina assured Ali that justice would be served, adding, “Nobody is above the law.”

The incident has stirred a larger conversation about military conduct in civilian areas, and the balance between security operations and human rights.

News Source : Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.