Rajouri: A mysterious disease has claimed 16 lives and affected 38 people in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district since December 2024. In response, the Indian Army has stepped in to provide crucial aid, delivering essential supplies such as food, water, and shelter to the affected residents.
Locals have expressed gratitude for the army’s timely assistance. “The army has been providing us with rations, tents, food, and water for the past few days. Their support has been a lifeline in this crisis,” said a resident, Md Bashir.
The State Health Department, along with teams from PGIMER Chandigarh, the National Institute of Virology, and the National Centre for Disease Control, has been working tirelessly to identify the cause of the illness. Door-to-door surveillance is being conducted in Badhal village, while medical teams closely monitor the situation. Residents are being reassured not to panic as efforts to uncover the cause continue.
“The civil administration, along with the army, has been actively supporting us. Food supplies, medical care, and shelter have been provided on a large scale. However, we need an urgent investigation to identify the root cause of this disease,” said Ghulam Hussain, another resident.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary visited the area, offering ex-gratia compensation to the victims’ families and ensuring additional support. “This is an unfortunate situation for the entire region. The government is monitoring it closely. Health teams are actively working, and police are investigating the cause,” he told reporters.
Despite extensive efforts by health experts and organizations, the cause of the illness remains unknown. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Kotranka, Dilmir Choudhary, assured the public that surveillance and health interventions are ongoing. “Health teams are visiting homes daily, and doctors are on standby. Residents should not fear this disease,” he said.
The collaborative efforts of the army, civil administration, and health agencies continue to provide relief and instill hope in the affected community as the search for answers persists.
