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Insas rifle, 28 bullets went missing on Monday from Punjab army base: Report
A firing incident was reported inside Bathinda Military Station on Wednesday morning. Station quick reaction teams were activated.
Four Indian Army jawans were killed after a firing incident took place inside the Bathinda Military Station in Punjab on Wednesday morning, the South Western Command of the Army said in a statement.
“It has been ascertained that in the unfortunate incident, four army jawans of an artillery unit succumbed to gunshot injuries sustained during the incident. No other injuries to personnel or loss/damage to property have been reported,” the army said in the statement.
The area continues to be sealed off and joint investigations with Punjab Police are being coordinated to establish the facts of the case, it added.
“All aspects including the possible case of involvement of an INSAS rifle along with 28 rounds reported missing two days back are being ascertained. Considering the sensitivities involved, Media is requested to avoid rumours and refrain from speculation,” the army said.
News agency ANI reported that all the entry gates of the Army Cantt in Bathinda have been closed. About two days ago one Insas rifle with 28 cartridges had gone missing. Some army personnel may be behind this incident.
Earlier the army said search operations were in progress. The firing incident took place around 4.35am inside the military station, the army said.
Watch: Punjab: Firing inside Bathinda Military Station; Four casualties reported, says Army
Bathinda SSP Gulneet Khurana said as per the information shared by the defence establishment, no terror threat is suspected at this stage. He said the identities of the victims are yet to be confirmed by the military station authorities.
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"Initial information says some army person opened indiscriminate firing on others. Preliminary no sabotage is suspected but details are awaited," said Khurana.
Stated to be the largest defence establishment in the country, the military station is located along the National Highway- 7 on the Chandigarh-Fazilka stretch.
The details of the incident are not immediately known.
