Srinagar, January 31 , 2025: After 54 days of uncertainty, life in Budhal, Rajouri in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir is not normal after the mysterious deaths that claimed 17 lives including 13 teenagers.
In Rajouri, the Indian Council of Medical Research ruled out infectious agents as the cause behind the mysterious deaths in Badhaal village, shifting the investigation focus to possible toxins. Locals have already accused the Indian Army of contaminating the village's water source, raising concerns about the transparency of the investigation.
Doctors treating the mysterious illness in Rajouri’s Badhaal village have also confirmed poisoning as the cause of 17 deaths since December 7. They noted that atropine, a drug used to counteract poison, led to a full recovery in all treated patients, reinforcing the poisoning theory. Meanwhile, locals suspect the Indian Army of contaminating the water supply, allegedly to target freedom fighters in the area.
Doctors treating the unexplained illness in Rajouri’s Badhaal village have almost confirmed poisoning as the cause, as atropine—a medication used to counteract poison—has led to a full recovery in all treated patients.The illness, which has claimed 17 lives since December 7, saw a turning point when atropine was administered, resulting in a 100% recovery rate.
However, the exact toxic substance remains unidentified, and forensic reports are awaited. Authorities continue to monitor the situation, keeping affected patients under observation for possible long-term effects.
According to a senior doctor, while the exact nature of the poisonous substance consumed by the residents of Badhaal remains unclear, empirical treatment based on atropine, guided by statistical data, has resulted in a 100 per cent recovery rate for those treated. The doctor noted, “We are not sure about the exact nature of the poison, but atropine has proven highly effective.”
Dr Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, Secretary of the Health and Medical Education Department, along with Principal GMC Rajouri AS Bhatia, and a team of experts, are closely monitoring the situation.
Locals have already suspected the Indian Army's involvement in contaminating the water source under the pretext of targeting freedom fighters in the area.
locals demand urgent answers regarding the exact cause of the deaths so that proper safety measures can be put in place, and that the residents can resume normal life without fear.
The first death in Budhal was reported on December 7, and since then, more than 50 days have passed without the government being able to determine the cause.
Locals expressed frustration over the slow pace of the investigation, saying the issue should have been treated as a health emergency and resolved as a priority.
A government official informed that most patients admitted at Government Medical College (GMC), Rajouri, have recovered, though they remain under observation. He said antidotes given to the affected patients have been effective, but authorities still lack conclusive evidence about the cause of the deaths and are awaiting Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) reports.
MLA Budhal Javed Iqbal Choudhary criticised the delayed investigation and expressed concern that no official FSL or test reports have been released even after nearly two months.
Meanwhile, India’s premier health research body, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), has ruled out infectious agents as the cause behind the mysterious deaths in Rajouri’s Badhaal village, Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, shifting the focus of the investigation to possible toxic substances.
ICMR confirmed that extensive tests for bacteria, viruses, and fungi found no evidence of a communicable disease behind the 17 deaths.
Experts now believe that a toxin—potentially from food, water, pesticides, heavy metals, or volatile substances—may be responsible. The investigation has been handed over to toxicology labs, including the Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (IITR) in Lucknow and the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) in Gwalior.
However, concerns have been raised about the limited capacity as well as liberty of Indian labs to test for the full range of possible toxins, with officials hinting at the possibility of seeking international assistance if domestic efforts fail to identify the culprit.
It is noteworthy that local residents have already accused the Indian Army of deliberately contaminating the village's water source.