Mysterious deaths in Rajouri; Investigation will be conducted on Pakistan's role, NIA to take over case

NEW DELHI: It has been confirmed that the deaths of 17 people from three families in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri over a span of 45 days were caused by consuming highly toxic substances. Investigations are also probing Pakistan's possible involvement. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) will take over the investigation. It is believed that the deaths, including those of children and women, were caused by poisoning through food. The cause of death was determined to be poisoning after an examination at the Lucknow CSIR lab, as confirmed by Union Minister Jitendra Singh. The investigation will focus on what poison was used and how the poison reached the victims' bodies and will include an examination of the circumstances leading to the deaths. Singh is an MP from Jammu Kashmir.

A ministerial-level committee formed under the direct intervention of Union Home Minister Amit Shah has been camping in Badhal village for days. The team includes representatives from the Ministries of Health, Water Resources, Agriculture, and Fertilizers, as well as senior officials from the Central Forensic Laboratory.

Two hundred relatives of the deceased are in isolation at a nursing college in Rajouri. The affected village, with a population of 1,800, has been declared a containment zone. The village is under CCTV surveillance, and residents are not allowed to step outside. Food and water are being supplied from outside. Over 200 food samples have been sent for testing in major laboratories across the state.

Suspicion about Pakistan's role

The affected Badhal village in Rajouri district is located near the border in Jammu. Due to the heavy monitoring of the border area in Kashmir, Pakistan is now reportedly using Jammu's forest regions as an alternative route to infiltrate militants. Young individuals from various districts in Jammu are being lured, armed, and trained by Pakistan to carry out attacks. These militants not only target military personnel but also rural civilians through covert strikes. There is a growing suspicion that the use of poison may be a new strategy employed by Pakistan.

First death on Dec 7

• It started when five members of a family of seven died after eating at a function on December 7. On January 19, 12 more members of two other families died
• Symptoms like fever, vomiting, fainting, inflammation in the brain. The main suspicion is that the toxins entered the body through food from the water source