Srinagar: Authorities in the Badhaal village of Rajouri district suspect organophosphorus poisoning as the cause of 17 mysterious deaths reported over the last two months.
No new cases have emerged in the past five days, signaling a stabilizing situation. Officials confirmed that three siblings undergoing treatment at GMC Jammu and SMGS Srinagar have been discharged and returned home under observation, along with their families and close contacts.
Another patient, Aijaz Ahmad, receiving treatment at PGI Chandigarh, is also recovering, while other patients admitted to GMC Rajouri have shown significant improvement.
Doctors suspect organophosphorus poisoning after patients responded positively to atropine injections, commonly used as an antidote for such poisoning.
“Atropine was initially given to two patients to manage their heart rates, and they showed marked improvement, pointing us toward organophosphorus poisoning as a possible cause,” a senior doctor said.
The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to confirm the cause of the deaths.
