Jammu birthday party stabbing: Man killed over cake smear on friend's face
Synopsis
A birthday prank — cake smeared on a friend's face — cost a Jammu man his life after the birthday boy pulled out a knife and stabbed him in the neck. With a second violent death in the city within 48 hours, Jammu Police has made two arrests and promised strict, time-bound action.
Key Takeaways
Pawan Nair alias Sameer was stabbed to death in Jammu on Thursday night, 18 September 2026 , after smearing cake on a friend's face during a birthday party.
The accused, Neeraj alias Anshu , allegedly drew a knife he was carrying and stabbed Nair in the neck near Lower Roop Nagar .
Nair was rushed to Government Medical College Jammu , where he was declared brought dead.
An FIR has been registered under Section 103(1) BNS at Police Station Janipur ; both Neeraj and his brother Rishu are in custody.
The stabbing is the second violent fatality in Jammu within 48 hours , following the shooting death of newspaper hawker Deepak Sharma, 35 , at Reshamgarh Colony .
A Jammu man was stabbed to death on Thursday night after a birthday celebration turned fatal when he spread cake on a friend's face — a momentary prank that ended in a knife attack, police said on Friday, 18 September 2026. The deceased, Pawan Nair alias Sameer, died of a stab wound to the neck and was declared brought dead at the Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu.
How the Incident Unfolded
The birthday gathering was being held on a road near Lower Roop Nagar, Jammu, where Neeraj alias Anshu was celebrating with a group of friends, including John Sotra, Gaurav Singh, Sugandh Bhatti, and Pawan Nair. Neeraj's brother Rishu was also present at the time.
During the cake-cutting, Nair applied cake on Neeraj's face — a common celebratory gesture — which according to police triggered a sharp verbal argument between the two. Despite attempts by others present to calm the situation, an enraged Neeraj reportedly pulled out a knife he was carrying and stabbed Nair in the neck, inflicting a grievous injury.
Nair's friends rushed him to GMC Jammu, where doctors declared him brought dead. The police post at GMC Jammu then alerted Police Station Janipur, which dispatched a team to the hospital immediately.
Police Action and FIR
Acting on the preliminary inquiry, Jammu Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Police Station Janipur. Both accused — Neeraj and his brother Rishu — have been apprehended and are currently in police custody.
The weapon used in the attack is still being recovered, according to police. The body of the deceased has been transferred to the mortuary for a post-mortem examination. Jammu Police stated: 'Jammu Police assures strict and time-bound action against the accused as per law.'
Second Violent Death in Jammu Within 48 Hours
This incident follows a separate fatal shooting reported the previous day. A man identified as Deepak Sharma, 35, a newspaper hawker, was shot dead inside his residence at Reshamgarh Colony, Jammu. The back-to-back violent incidents have drawn attention to public safety concerns in the city.
Notably, this is the second fatal attack in Jammu in as many days, raising questions about the prevalence of carrying edged and firearms in public spaces. Police have not linked the two cases.
What Happens Next
Investigation into both the stabbing and the recovery of the weapon remains ongoing. Post-mortem findings are awaited and are expected to formally confirm the cause of death. Legal proceedings against Neeraj and Rishu are set to advance once the investigation reaches a conclusion.
Point of View
A ritual at countless birthday parties — ended in a killing because the accused was reportedly carrying a knife in a public social gathering. That detail deserves scrutiny beyond the immediate crime: it points to a normalisation of carrying edged weapons in casual settings. The second fatal violence incident in Jammu in under 48 hours compounds the concern. Jammu Police's promise of 'strict and time-bound action' is standard post-arrest language; the deeper question is whether preventive policing — particularly around public gatherings — is adequate.
NationPress
18 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was killed in the Jammu birthday party stabbing?
The deceased is Pawan Nair alias Sameer, who was stabbed in the neck during a birthday gathering near Lower Roop Nagar, Jammu, on Thursday night. He was declared brought dead at Government Medical College Jammu.
Why was Pawan Nair stabbed?
According to police, Nair had applied cake on birthday celebrant Neeraj's face, which led to a verbal argument. Neeraj then allegedly drew a knife he was carrying and attacked Nair, causing a fatal neck injury.
Who has been arrested in connection with the Jammu stabbing?
Both accused — Neeraj alias Anshu and his brother Rishu — have been arrested and are currently in custody at Police Station Janipur, Jammu. Police are still working to recover the weapon used.
Under which law has the FIR been filed?
Jammu Police filed an FIR under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Police Station Janipur. Investigation is ongoing, and a post-mortem examination of the deceased is underway.
Was there another violent death in Jammu around the same time?
Yes. A day before the stabbing, newspaper hawker Deepak Sharma, 35, was shot dead inside his residence at Reshamgarh Colony, Jammu. Police have not linked the two incidents, but the back-to-back fatalities have raised concerns about public safety in the city.
