Naval officer dies of gunshot injuries at Kochi base

It was not clear immediately if the sailor committed suicide, was shot dead or fired his weapon accidentally.

A 23-year-old sailor was found dead with gunshot wounds at the Kochi naval base on Sunday morning, sources said.

A sailor on duty at the naval base sustained fatal bullet injury due to the firing of his duty weapon, a defence spokesperson said. (AFP File Photo/Representative Image)

It was not immediately clear if Rakshith Kumar was killed in an accidental fire, committed suicide or was shot dead.

A sailor on duty at the naval base sustained fatal bullet injury due to the firing of his duty weapon, a defence spokesperson said.

Coastal police officials, however, suspect it to be a suicide and ruled out foul play.

Kumar, who hailed from Gujarat, was found dead on board INS Jamuna berthed at Kochi, the headquarters of the southern naval command, sources said. On sentry duty, he reported for work at 6.30am and was found dead two hours later.

The southern naval command, one of the three formations of the Indian Navy, said it would release a statement in the evening.

(With agency inputs)