Jawan fires indiscriminately, kills four colleagues in camp

Srinagar(Jammu and Kashmir), Apr 28 (PTI) In a case of
fratricide, an Army jawan allegedly went on a shooting spree
killing four of his colleagues and injuring another inside a
camp in Bijbehara area of Anantnag district in the wee hours
Thursday.
The jawan, who was arrested soon after the incident,
fired at his colleagues at the 42 Rashtriya Rifles camp at
Bijbehara, 45 kms from here in north Indian state of Jammu
and Kashmir.
Giving details, Defence Spokesman Lt Col J S Brar
said, "In an unfortunate incident today morning, Havildar
Abhay Kumar, for unexplained reasons, fired at his own
colleagues resulting in the death of one Junior Commissioned
Officer and three other ranks.
"In addition, one jawan sustained gun shot wounds. He
was evacuated to the hospital and is out of danger. Havildar
Abhay was overpowered by jawans and is presently in military
custody," he said.
A high-level Court of Inquiry has been instituted to
ascertain the facts of the case, the spokesman said.
Asked whether this was a stress-related case, Lt Col
Brar said, "This incident is an aberration, being the first in
the last two years".
"The Army over the past few years has
institutionalised stress management measures such as constant
counselling by superiors and religious teachers, regular rest,
yoga and other such means," he said.
He said in the instant case, it will be ensured that
the truth comes to light and suitable measures shall be
instituted to prevent any re-occurrence of such incidents.
This is the first incident of fratricide in the Army
in the Valley in the past nearly two years.