At least four Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel were shot dead by a 2009-batch Head Constable of the force following a verbal argument among them on Tuesday. The accused Head Constable has been handed over to the police.
The suspected shooter has been identified as Head Constable Avdesh Kumar Singh, who allegedly entered the office premises and opened indiscriminate fire with his issued AK-47 rifle, reported NDTV. He was carrying 150 rounds of ammunition.
The incident took place around 7:30 pm during a verbal argument that broke out over an issue at the Sewa-II Hydroelectric Project unit in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district. All four succumbed to their injuries after being admitted to NHPC Hospital in Himachal Pradesh.
According to officials, the Head Constable opened fire following the argument, killing four CISF personnel. The CISF personnel were guarding the Sewa-III Power Project at Mashka village in Basohli, bordering Himachal Pradesh.
Police teams reached the spot soon after the incident and secured the area to prevent any further incident. Following the firing, the accused was overpowered by his colleagues and got arrested. The service weapon used in the incident was also seized as part of the investigation, reported PTI.
An investigation into the circumstances leading to the firing is underway. The deceased were identified as Assistant Commandant Ankit Kumar Pandey, Sub-Inspector Lakshman Singh and constables Rafiq Ahmed and Sandeep Kumar.
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Meanwhile, the CISF is also setting up an internal inquiry into the incident to identify the circumstances that led to the firing.
The exact sequence of events and the reasons that led to the altercation and subsequent firing are yet to be established.
Police have initiated an investigation and are examining all relevant aspects of the incident. Further details are awaited as the investigation progresses.