Constable At Ayodhya Ram Temple Dies From Gunshot Wound, Accident Or Suicide Suspected: Report

Senior police officers who visited the scene stated that the incident could have been an accidental discharge or a case of suicide.

A constable from the Uttar Pradesh Special Security Force (UPSSF) deployed at the Ayodhya Ram Temple complex died on Wednesday from a gunshot wound inflicted by his own rifle, according to a Times of India report. The incident occurred at 5:25 AM. The constable killed in the gunshot has been identified as 25-year-old Shatrughna Vishwakarma from Ambedkarnagar, the report said.

  

Senior police officers who visited the scene stated that the incident could have been an accidental discharge or a case of suicide, the report said. The body was sent for a post-mortem examination, and a forensic team was examining the site. 

Inspector General of Police for Faizabad Range, Pravin Kumar told TOI, "Forensic reports and a post-mortem examination will clarify the exact cause". 

Vishwakarma was stationed near the under-construction VIP gate in front of the Koteshwar Temple, approximately 150 metres from the main part of the Ram Temple. He was on duty with several other security personnel at the time of the incident, according to Kumar. 

According to the report, the bullet struck Vishwakarma in the forehead. His colleagues immediately rushed him to a nearby hospital. Due to the severity of his condition, he was referred to a trauma center, where doctors later declared him dead, the report said. 

The death of the security guard caused a commotion within the temple complex. According to TOI, Senior police officers, including the Inspector General and the Senior Superintendent of Police, arrived at the scene to conduct an investigation. A forensic team was also summoned to assist in the probe. 

As per the report, the colleagues of the deceased reported that Vishwakarma was looking at his mobile phone just before the incident occurred. 

The police informed his family, who subsequently arrived at the site, the report said. 

Shatrughna Vishwakarma joined the force in 2019 and hailed from the village of Kajpura in the Sammanpur [police station area of Ambedkarnagar. He was part of the UP Special Security Force (SSF) assigned to protect the temple.