Punjab: Five dead after BSF jawan opens fire at colleagues
In a shocking incident, five Border Security Force (BSF) personnel were killed after one of them opened fire at his colleagues. The incident happened on Sunday morning at BSF's Khasa headquarters in Punjab's Amritsar. Several jawans are said to have suffered injuries in the incident. The shooter, identified as Ct Satteppa SK, is also reportedly dead.
BSF issues official statement
"In an unfortunate incident, 5 BSF troops were injured on March 6, due to fratricide committed by Ct Satteppa SK at HQ 144 Bn Khasa, Amritsar. Ct Satteppa SK was also injured in the incident," a statement from BSF officials read. "Out of the 6 injured, 5, including Ct Satteppa, have lost their lives. One of the injured is critical," the statement added.
Incident happened at the mess
According to reports, constable Setteppa of 'B' Coy 144 Battalion, who hails from Maharashtra, allegedly started firing on his fellow members with his duty weapon. The incident took place at around 10:15 am at the force mess in the Khasa area, located nearly 20 km away from the Attari-Wagah border crossing along the India-Pakistan international border.
Setappa also shot at vehicle of battalion's officiating commandant
"He also fired on the vehicle of Satish Mishra, officiating commandant of 144 battalion," Hindustan Times quoted an official as saying. There has been no confirmation if the commandant also suffered injuries in the incident.
Why did the constable shoot his colleagues?
According to an India Today report, the constable was being overworked and was assigned continuous duty on a daily basis. This had made him upset. On Saturday, he also had an argument with a senior BSF officer, the report claimed. Due to the anger, Setappa took out his rifle when he was on duty on Sunday morning and started firing indiscriminately on his colleagues.
Court of inquiry ordered
All the personnel were immediately rushed to a private hospital in the area, out of which five were declared dead. Senior BSF officers have also reached the hospital, news agency PTI quoted officials as saying. Family members of the deceased and injured are being informed. A court of inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the facts.
