Bathinda Military Station: Four soldiers killed in firing incident

Four soldiers from an Army artillery unit tragically lost their lives in a firing incident that occurred at the Bathinda military station in Punjab during the early hours of Wednesday. The Punjab Police, in collaboration with their military counterparts, is currently investigating the matter and preliminary findings suggest that it was not a terrorist act.

The four soldiers, who were in their mid-20s, were asleep when the firing incident took place at approximately 4:30 am near the barracks behind a mess. In response, the Army swiftly deployed quick-reaction teams and secured the area.

Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande has reportedly briefed Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on the incident. The Superintendent of Police (Detective) of Bathinda, Ajay Gandhi, who is leading the police investigation, informed the media that 19 empty shells of INSAS rifles were recovered from the scene. According to an Army jawan’s account, two individuals in civilian attire were responsible for the gunfire.

The soldiers who lost their lives were identified as Sagar Banne (25), Kamalesh R (24), Yogesh Kumar J (24) and Santosh M Nagaral (25). CCTV footage is currently being reviewed and the Army has initiated a cordon-and-search operation, with the entire area being sanitised.

Gandhi stated that the police are jointly investigating the incident with the military police and as of now, there is no information about the perpetrators of the firing. The Army’s South Western command issued a statement confirming that the incident resulted in the unfortunate loss of four soldiers from the artillery unit due to gunshot injuries, with no other injuries to personnel or damage to property reported.

VIDEO | Gurdeep Singh (SHO, Bathinda Cantt Police Station) talks to media on the firing incident at Bathinda Military Station earlier today. pic.twitter.com/bCDRmssS3Z

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The statement also mentioned that all aspects of the incident, including the possible involvement of an INSAS rifle along with 28 rounds that were reported missing two days prior, are being thoroughly investigated. When asked if the incident could be fratricidal, Gandhi stated that the investigations are ongoing.

Bathinda’s Senior Superintendent of Police, Gulneet Singh Khurana, clarified that based on the information gathered thus far, the incident does not appear to be a terrorist act but rather an internal issue that may be fratricidal. The police entered the military station with forensic equipment to conduct in-depth investigations.

Regarding the missing rifle, Gandhi mentioned that they are exploring any potential links. The Station House Officer of Bathinda Police Station Cantt, Gurdeep Singh, confirmed that no one has been detained in connection with the incident so far and an FIR will be lodged.

When asked about the timing of the complaint regarding the missing rifle, the SHO stated that they received the information on Tuesday evening. The Army has maintained that the area remains sealed off and joint investigations with the Punjab Police are being coordinated to establish the facts of the case.

(Written by Eastern Mirror with inputs from PTI)