Army officers, jawans clash in Leh; CoI ordered

The trigger for the clash took place late yesterday afternoon in Nyoma sub-district, located 150 kilometres from here, when a jawan allegedly misbehaved with a Major who is said to have beaten him up, official sources said.

However, the jawans denied that one of their men had indulged in any molestation.

Officers and jawans of 226 Field Regiment were undergoing firing practice at this place.

Tension gripped the army camp where the jawans briefly took control of the armoury but did not withdraw any weapons.

Army chief Gen V K Singh spoke to Northern commander K T Parnaik and discussed the issue.

The army, meanwhile, ordered a Court of Inquiry into the incident in which Commanding Officer of 226 Field Regiment Colonel Kadam was injured and was taken to Leh base hospital.

"The situation is under control and a Court of Inquiry has been ordered into the incident," Army Spokesperson Colonel Jagdeep Dahiya said here.

The inquiry order came after the Defence Ministry sought a report from the Army on the incident that took place last night.

"A minor scuffle took place between the officers and the troops of a unit on the night of 10-11 May in Ladakh", he said, adding "a few minor injuries were suffered by the personnel." MORE