Home Minister Amit Shah Orders Probe Into Mysterious Deaths In Jammu-Kashmir's Rajouri, Health And Chemical Experts To Assist

In response to a series of unexplained deaths in Baddal village, Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has directed the formation of an inter-ministerial team to investigate the cause and provide immediate relief to affected families.

The village has witnessed 16 deaths over the past six weeks, with victims displaying symptoms such as fever, pain, nausea, and loss of consciousness before succumbing within days of hospitalisation.

Among the deceased is 60-year-old Jatti Begum, who passed away on Friday (17 January) after losing her husband and five grandchildren to the same mysterious illness.

An official statement confirmed that the team, led by a senior Union Home Ministry officer, will include experts from the ministries of health and family welfare, agriculture, chemicals and fertilisers, and water resources.

Specialists from animal husbandry, food safety, and forensic science labs will also assist. "Experts from some of the most reputable institutions have been arranged to manage the situation and understand the causes of the deaths," the statement added.

The central team is expected to collaborate closely with local authorities to implement precautionary measures and provide relief.

Investigations conducted by the Jammu and Kashmir administration have so far ruled out bacterial or viral infections as the cause.

A government spokesperson said that empirical evidence indicates that the incidents are not due to a communicable disease of bacterial or viral origin, and there is no public health angle.

Initial reports suggest the presence of "certain neurotoxins" in the samples of those who have died. Experts believe these toxins could be a critical factor in the fatalities.

The first death attributed to the illness occurred on 7 December, when seven members of a family fell ill after attending a function. Subsequent incidents saw nine members of another family hospitalised and six children admitted a month later.

The tragedy has left the community devastated, with survivors grappling with loss and fear. As the investigation progresses, the government’s immediate focus remains on identifying the root cause and preventing further fatalities.