A tragic and shocking incident has emerged from the Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir, where a fratricidal firing incident within the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has resulted in the loss of four lives. The incident took place on Tuesday evening at a security camp located in the Basohli area. According to official reports, the violence broke out at the Mashka CISF camp, which is responsible for the security of the Basohli-Sewa-2 Hydroelectric Project. The peace of the evening was shattered when a member of the force turned his service weapon against his own colleagues following an internal dispute.
Details of the Incident and the Accused
The incident occurred at approximately 7 PM on Tuesday. The individual identified as the shooter is Head Constable Abdesh Kumar, who belongs to the 2009 batch of the CISF. Preliminary reports suggest that Abdesh Kumar was involved in a heated argument or dispute with other personnel stationed at the camp. While the exact nature of the disagreement remains under investigation, the situation escalated to a point where the Head Constable allegedly used his service rifle to open fire on his fellow team members. The suddenness of the attack left little room for the victims to react, leading to a fatal outcome for four personnel.
Casualties and Identification of the Deceased
The firing resulted in the immediate death of four CISF personnel, including a high-ranking officer. The victims have been identified by the authorities to ensure transparency and inform their families, while among those killed was Assistant Commandant Ankit Kumar Pandey, who was serving as the Company Commander at the site. The other three deceased personnel include Sub-Inspector Laxman Singh, Constable Sanjeev Kumar, and Constable Mohammad Rafiq. The loss of an Assistant Commandant along with three other dedicated members of the force has sent shockwaves through the security establishment in the region.
Immediate Response and Police Action
As soon as the sounds of gunfire were heard within the Mashka camp, local police and other security agencies were alerted and rushed to the scene. Upon arrival, they found the four victims and immediately took steps to secure the area. The accused, Head Constable Abdesh Kumar, was quickly apprehended and taken into custody. Following the initial detention by security personnel at the camp, he was handed over to the local police for further legal proceedings. The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Kathua, Mohita Sharma, has officially confirmed the incident and the subsequent deaths of the four CISF members.
Ongoing Investigations and Internal Probe
The Kathua police have launched a comprehensive investigation into the matter to determine the sequence of events that led to this violent outburst, while investigators are currently questioning witnesses and examining the site of the incident to understand what triggered the dispute between Abdesh Kumar and his colleagues. In addition to the police investigation, the CISF has also initiated an internal inquiry. This departmental probe will look into various aspects, including the duty rosters, the mental state of the personnel involved, and whether there were any prior signs of conflict that could have been addressed. The authorities are committed to uncovering the factual truth behind the firing and ensuring that justice is served for the deceased personnel and their families.