Bathinda Military Station Firing: 4 Jawans Dead, Missing Rifle Found, Terror Angle Ruled Out. Key Points

As per standard operating procedure (SOP), Army Chief General Manoj Pande has briefed Defence Minister Rajnath Singh about the incident.

Bathinda military station in Punjab where a firing incident took place. ( Image Source :PTI )

New Delhi: Four Indian Army soldiers, belonging to an artillery unit, were killed in a firing incident at the Bathinda military station in Punjab on Wednesday morning. State Police termed the incident as a case of ‘fratricide’ and ruled out any terror angle. According to Army officials, the incident took place around 4:30 am and quick reaction teams were deployed soon after and the area was cordoned off.

A search team has located the INSAS rifle along with the magazine, that went missing from an army unit two days before the incident. Army and Police Joint teams will now be undertaking forensic analysis of the weapon for ascertaining further details. The balance number of rounds in the weapon will only be available after forensic analysis.

“This is not a terrorist incident. Probe is being done. An FIR was lodged 2-3 days ago regarding the missing rifle and the matter is being investigated. We are in touch with Army officials,” ANI quoted Surinder Pal Singh, Additional DGP, as saying earlier in the day.

Here are the key developments:

• Prior to the shooting incident, an Insas rifle along with 28 cartridges had been reported missing. However, it has been located and sent for forensic analysis. 
• The military station has been closed as a precautionary measure. A search operation is underway and all the entry gates to the Army Cantt have been shut down.
• The Bathinda military station is the largest military base in Asia and home to the Indian Army’s headquarters 10 Corps. The pivot 'Chetak' corps is responsible for defending India’s border with Pakistan in south Punjab and north Rajasthan.
• The firing incident took place at the 80 Medium Regiment artillery officers' mess, sources told ABP Live. It has been reported that an assault rifle went missing from the unit's guard room a few days before the incident. The search for the shooter(s) is still ongoing, and the situation is being monitored closely.
• As per standard operating procedure (SOP), Army Chief General Manoj Pande has briefed Defence Minister Rajnath Singh about the incident. Additionally, the Defence Minister called for a meeting to discuss the situation further. In addition, the National Security Advisor (NSA) has also been briefed about the incident.
• As per Army Headquarters sources speaking to ABP News, the initial assessment of the incident indicates that it may be a case of fratricide. However, the investigation is still underway.
• The Indian Army has confirmed that the families of the four army jawans who lost their lives are being informed.
• Two soldiers stationed at Bathinda's army base are believed to be responsible for a recent shooting incident, according to a source who spoke with ABP News. The source stated that both of the accused individuals are currently posted at the same military installation.
• “It is a matter of an internal fight. I have spoken to the SSP and an investigation is underway,” said Punjab minister Anmol Gagan Maan.