Srinagar, Jan. 28 -- Organophosphorus poisoning is likely behind 17 "mystery" deaths that occurred in the Badhaal village of Rajouri, officials said on Monday.

A top doctor told a local news agency that they have administered an antidote - atropine injection - to patients who are admitted to the hospital and it worked well.

Atropine injection is used to treat poisoning caused by organophosphorus nerve agents, including organophosphorus or carbamate insecticides.

He said that an official report from top laboratories is yet to come. "We have used the hit and trial method, it worked well. We administered atropine to two patients for other purposes to increase the heart rate, they survived and are recovering well," he said.

He added that ...