Mysterious illness kills one more in Rajouri, SIT set up

10-year-old girl latest victim, neurotoxins found in plasma samples of 13, say health officials

- Ravi Krishnan Khajuria

JAMMU: The police have constituted a special investigation team to probe the mysterious death of 14 people, including 11 children, belonging to three families in a remote village in Rajouri district, officials said on Wednesday.

A 10-year-old girl died due to a mysterious illness at SMGS Hospital here on Wednesday evening. The deceased was identified as Zabeena Kouser, 10, of Badhaal village in Rajouri.

"A 10-member SIT headed by SP operations Wajahat Hussain has been constituted. The SIT includes forensic experts, health officials including pathologists, and agricultural experts," said people familiar with the development. The SIT will submit its findings on a weekly basis to the Rajouri district police authorities, including the SSP.