Bathinda firing: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh briefed by Army Chief General Manoj Pande

At least four people were reported killed in a shooting incident at Bathinda Military Station on Wednesday morning, informed the local police.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was briefed by the Army Chief General Manoj Pande on the firing incident in a short while.

One rifle and cartridges were missing since a couple of days

According to reports, all entry gates of the Army Cantonment in Bathinda have been closed. They said that one Insas rifle with 28 cartridges had gone missing about two days ago and some Army personnel may be behind this incident.

As per a statement by the Indian Army's South Western Command, the firing incident occurred at around 4.35 a.m. inside the Bathinda Military Station.

A search operation is underway, the Army said "Four casualties were reported in the incident. The Station Quick Reaction Teams were activated and the area was cordoned off and sealed. Search operation in progress", informed the HQ SW Command.

Indian Army issues a statement

"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 the Indian Army in a statement.