Budhal Village on edge as 16 mysterious deaths raise alarm

Srinagar, Jan 17: The toll from the mysterious deaths in Budhal village, located in Rajouri, has risen to 16 after the passing of 60-year-old Jatti Begum at GMC Associated Hospital on Friday. These deaths, which have occurred within just 45 days, include 12 children and four adults, plunging the remote village into fear and confusion, according to officials.
Dr. Dara Singh, Medical Superintendent of SMGS Hospital, an associated facility of GMC Jammu, confirmed that Jatti Begum passed away early Friday morning at GMC Associated Hospital Rajouri. She was the wife of 65-year-old Muhammad Yousuf, who had died a few days earlier. With her death, the mysterious death toll in Budhal has now reached 16.
The fatalities are concentrated in three related families, and the village is gripped by anxiety over the unknown illness that seems to be responsible. Among the dead, there are 12 children and four adults. The first deaths in the village occurred on December 5, 2024, when five members of one family, including the head of the household, died following an illness that seemed to spread after a community meal.
Farooq Ahmad, Sarpanch of Budhal village, expressed deep grief over the continuing losses. “We are struck with grief once again as another resident, Jatti Begum, has passed away. Her Nimaz-e-Jinaza was held at 2 PM, attended by thousands from Budhal and neighboring villages. We hope the authorities can uncover the truth. We pray that no more lives are lost. Our children are scared, and we do not let them out of our sight. We need answers to feel safe again,” he said.
The investigation, led by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by SSP Rajouri Gaurav Sikarwar, is ongoing. As part of the investigation, the District Administration has sealed the homes of the three affected families in Budhal. A team led by Additional Deputy Commissioner Koteranka, Dil Mir, and Tehsildar Sahil Ali Shah, supported by police and security personnel, carried out the operation to ensure safety and compliance.
A senior police officer noted that more people are being questioned and that all possible angles are being explored. “We are conducting thorough inquiries and examining every lead,” he said.
On Friday, 24 members of the affected families were relocated to government-provided accommodations, where they are receiving food and other essentials under the supervision of a team appointed by Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, Abhishek Sharma, and headed by the District Officer of ICDS Rajouri.
As part of the ongoing investigation, authorities are analyzing food items, medicines, and other materials used by the affected families—Fazal, Mohd Rafiq, and Mohd Aslam. These items will be sent to laboratories for testing to identify any potential sources of contamination or provide clues about the cause of the mysterious deaths.
Dr. Manohar Lal, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Rajouri, confirmed that a team from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), along with experts from PGI Chandigarh and other renowned hospitals, has been dispatched to conduct another survey. Samples are being collected and surveillance is ongoing to determine the cause of the deaths in the remote, snowbound area.
“Active surveillance and sampling are underway to investigate these deaths in Budhal, a village with a population of 5,759 spread across hilly terrain and isolated clusters. We are leaving no stone unturned in our efforts to uncover the cause,” he added.