Indian gov't to probe mystery deaths at Indian-controlled Kashmir village

19/1/2025 7:47

India's federal government Saturday ordered the formation of an inter-ministerial team to probe the mystery deaths at a village in Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials said.



The orders to constitute the team have been issued by federal Home Minister Amit Shah.



At least 16 people have died of a mysterious illness over the past 43 days in Budhal village of Rajouri district, about 243 km south of Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.



People complained of fever, pain, nausea and loss of consciousness before dying within days of their hospitalization. A child admitted to the hospital remains in critical conditions.



"The team will consist of experts from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers and Ministry of Water Resources. It will also be assisted by experts from animal husbandry, food safety and forensic science labs," the federal home ministry said in a statement.