In a shocking incident, four Army jawans were killed inside the Bathinda military station in Punjab, reportedly by two "kurta-pyjama’’-clad persons who had their faces covered, early Wednesday morning.
While there was no information about the assailants till late night and a joint investigation of Army and Punjab police was in progress, Bathinda superintendent of police (investigation) Ajay Gandhi said two persons in civil dress were believed to be behind the shooting. Gandhi is heading a police team probing the Bathinda Military Station.
Two assailants carrying Insas rifle mentioned in FIR
According to the first information report (FIR) registered at the Bathinda Cantonment police station, two persons who had their faces covered and who were wearing "kurta pyjama’’ and carrying an Insas rifle and an axe, killed four jawans at the Bathinda military station. The police, however, refused details stating that the probe was still on.
However, according to media reports, according to the FIR lodged by an Army officer, he was informed about the firing incident around 4.30 am and on reaching the spot along with another officer, he saw two persons in kurta-pyjamas, with one of them carrying Insas rifle and another an axe, running towards forests of the Army station. Stating that he saw the empty shells of the Insas rifle lying on the ground and the weapon could be the same which had been stolen on April 9.
The investigating teams were also said to be scanning all the CCTV footages of the Army station for clues till the filing of this report.
Jawans were asleep when they were shot dead
According to information, the deceased jawans, all of an artillery unit, were asleep when they were shot dead in their barrack, located adjacent to the officers’ mess, around 4.30 am.
According to the initial probe, the police and the Army had ruled out any terror attack and thought it was a case of fratricide. However, later there were still no coherent answers available about the assailants and their motive.
Importantly enough, it was also learnt that the shocking incident was on the back of an Insas (Indian small arms system) rifle along with 28 rounds going missing on Monday, to which the Army, according to media reports, said had been located.
Forensic analysis of recovered rifle in progress
Stating that the said rifle was used in the shooting incident, it said that the same had been located along with the magazine of which forensic analysis was in progress. According to information, the balance number of rounds in the weapon would be known after the said examination.
However, it was being asked why the probe into the case of missing weapon and ammunition took time.
Meanwhile, the Army had pressed into service of hexacopters and drones in the area.
It may be mentioned that Bathinda military station is one of the largest in the country with huge open spaces and forest cover.
