Bathinda Military Station Firing: Gunner Confesses To Killing 4 Victims, No Terror Angle, Says Army

The gunner confessed of stealing INSAS rifle and killing for of his colleague at the Bathinda military station.

Bathinda military firing station incident

Source : PTI

Gunner Desai Mohan has confessed to the Police about his involvement in the stealing of an INSAS rifle and killing of four of his colleagues in the Bathinda military station firing incident, said the HQ South Western Command on Monday in a statement, adding animosity as personal reason for the incident. 

"After sustained interrogation, one individual named Gunner Desai Mohan, from the Artillery unit where the incident occurred has confessed to his involvement in stealing of an INSAS rifle and killing four of his colleagues to the Police. Initial investigations indicate that this was apparently due to personal reasons/animosity," the statement read. 

On April 12, four soldiers of the Indian Army's artillery unit died after a person opened fire in Bathinda military station. Earlier today, Desai was detained by the Bathinda Police in connection with the incident. 

As per the statement by South Western Command, the gunner had hid the gun which he took out from the hiding place on April 12.

"As per his confession, on early morning of 09 April 2023, he stole the weapon alongwith a filled magazine. He then hid the weapon. 
On 12 April 2023 at around 0430 hours, while he was on sentry duty, he recovered the weapon from its hiding place, moved to the first floor, and killed all four personnel while they were asleep," it said. 

He then threw the weapon into a sewage pit which has been recovered along with additional ammunition, it added. 

"The statement made by the individual while filing the initial FIR on 12 April, mentioning two persons in civil dress with INSAS rifle and axe was an attempt to divert attention of investigating agencies," said the HQ SW Command.

The gunner is in the police custody and further details were being ascertained.