Four Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel, including an Assistant Commandant and a Sub-Inspector, were killed in a firing incident at a CISF camp deployed at the Sewa-II Hydroelectric Power Project in the Mashka area of Basohli in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district on Tuesday.
According to preliminary reports, the incident followed an argument between CISF personnel, which reportedly escalated into a physical altercation before gunfire broke out inside the camp. The suspected shooter, identified by police as CISF Head Constable Awadhesh Singh, was taken into custody.
According to CISF sources and police, the accused allegedly fired from an AK-47 rifle. He was reportedly carrying 150 rounds of ammunition. Preliminary reports suggest that he fired indiscriminately during the altercation, targeting his colleagues.
The altercation reportedly began between Awadhesh Singh and Assistant Commandant and Company Commander Ankit Kumar Pandey. Sources said Awadhesh Singh had joined the CISF in 2009.
The deceased have been identified as Assistant Commandant Ankit Kumar Pandey, Sub-Inspector Lakshman Singh, Constable Rafiq Ahmed and Constable Sandeep Kumar.
All four personnel were initially injured in the firing and were shifted to an NHPC hospital on the Himachal Pradesh side for medical treatment. They later succumbed to their injuries, according to preliminary information.
Officials said the suspected CISF personnel allegedly used his service weapon to fire at his colleagues. The exact circumstances that led to the altercation and subsequent firing are being investigated.
The incident took place at the Sewa-II Power Station in Mashka, Basohli, an NHPC hydroelectric project located in Kathua district.
Police and security officials reached the site and initiated an investigation. Further details regarding the sequence of events and the circumstances leading to the firing are awaited.