Rajouri/Jammu, Jan 21: A high-level inter-ministerial team continued its probe for the second day on Tuesday, working to unravel the cause of death of 17 individuals from three interrelated families in Badhaal village, Rajouri district.
Led by a director-rank officer from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the central team spent nearly six hours in the village on Monday, gathering evidence and interacting with villagers. They returned this morning to resume their activities, which included collecting additional samples and engaging with the survivors and other residents, officials said.
The investigation follows orders from Union Home Minister Amit Shah to determine the factors behind the deaths, which occurred between December 7 and January 19. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is expected to visit the village later today to assess the situation firsthand and extend support to the bereaved families.
According to a Jammu and Kashmir government spokesperson, preliminary findings suggest the deaths are not linked to any communicable disease of bacterial or viral origin, ruling out a public health crisis. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been established after traces of neurotoxins were detected in the victims’ samples.
Authorities recently sealed a spring in the village after water from it tested positive for pesticides and insecticides. Experts from some of the nation’s leading institutions are involved in analyzing the situation and formulating preventive measures to avert such incidents in the future.
The village, home to a mixed community, remains gripped by fear and grief. National Conference leader and local MLA Javaid Iqbal Choudhary commended the residents for their resilience and cooperation with investigators. “Our villages are an example of communal harmony. Everyone is united in praying that the investigators uncover the truth and provide closure to those who have lost their loved ones,” he said.
Surjeet Singh Thakur, a local resident, echoed this sentiment, adding, “Though fear and grief loom large, we stand together as a community, shoulder-to-shoulder with the bereaved families.”
The victims reportedly experienced fever, pain, nausea, intense sweating, and loss of consciousness before succumbing within days of hospital admission. The central team, alongside the local administration, is focusing on providing immediate relief while ensuring long-term measures are in place to safeguard the villagers.
The tragic deaths, including 13 children, have left the community desperate for answers, as experts continue to work tirelessly to uncover the mystery.
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