At least four deaths have been reported in a firing at an army camp in Punjab's Bathinda. The firing inside the Bathinda Military Station took place early in the morning today. According to reports, the combing operation is underway and the area has been cordoned off. Army's South Western Command said in a statement that the firing incident was reported in the early hours of the morning around 4.35 hours. "Station Quick Reaction Teams were activated. Area was cordoned off and sealed. Search operations, are in progress. Four Fatal casualties reported. Further details being ascertained," reads the statement.
"It has been ascertained that in the unfortunate incident, four army jawans of an artillery unit succumbed to gunshot injuries sustained during the incident. No other injuries to personnel or loss/damage to property have been reported," the Army's South Western command said in a statement. It further said all aspects, including the possible case of involvement of an INSAS rifle along with 28 rounds reported missing two days back, are being ascertained. The details of the incident are not immediately known. According to reports, the police has reached the army camp but they are yet to get entry into the premises. As per reports, the firing took place inside the officers' mess and all four dead were from the 80 Medium regiment.
Punjab's Additional Director General of Police, SPS Parmar told PTI that it is not a terrorist attack. He said that the attack is not from outside but a fratricidal incident. "All the entry gates of the Army Cantt in Bathinda were closed. About two days ago one Insas rifle with 28 cartridges had gone missing," reported ANI quoting Punjab Police sources.
"Four army jawans of an artillery unit succumbed to gunshot injuries sustained during the firing incident at Bathinda Military Station. No other injuries to personnel or loss/damage to property reported. The area continues to be sealed off and joint investigations with Punjab Police are being coordinated to establish the facts of the case. All aspects including the possible case of involvement of an INSAS rifle along with 28 rounds reported missing two days back are being ascertained," said Indian Army in a statement.
The army said the families of jawans killed in the incident are being informed about the loss of lives.
