Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Tuesday that the cause of 17 unexplained deaths in Budhal village, Rajouri district, remains unknown.
Speaking to reporters after visiting the area, Abdullah stressed the government's focus on preventing further fatalities.
"Our priority is to ensure that this cycle of deaths stops and does not exceed 17," he said.
He said that since the deaths were first reported, the health department, in coordination with other agencies, has been actively investigating the cases. "Tests confirmed that no bacterial or viral infection caused these deaths," he noted.
The deaths occurred within three families, but the exact cause remains unclear. "Since it is not linked to a disease, the police have been involved, and a dedicated team is investigating the matter," Abdullah said.
He said a central government team is assisting with the inquiry. "Together, we aim to uncover the root cause of these tragedies," he said.
In response to the incident, the Union Home Ministry has formed a high-level inter-ministerial team to investigate the deaths. This team, comprising experts from various ministries and top medical institutions, visited the village on January 19 to collect samples and recommend preventive measures.
During the investigation, a well in the village was sealed after its water tested positive for traces of pesticides. Residents are now being provided with drinking water via tankers.
The deaths, which began in December 2024, were first reported in a family where several members, including children and their father, exhibited symptoms such as fever, vomiting, dehydration, sweating, and loss of consciousness before dying under mysterious circumstances. Another family in the same village later experienced similar fatalities.
After a 40-day gap, the tragedy resurfaced when six members of the deceased father's sister's family fell ill and died after consuming food during a gathering to mark his death's 40th day. Despite investigations by experts from the Pune Institute of Virology, DRDO, and Jammu Medical College, the exact cause of the deaths remains unknown.
