PAC jawan opens fire on colleagues, two killed, three wounded

Varanasi, June 25 (UNI) A "mentally-ill" PAC Jawan opened fire on his colleagues, killing two and wounding three others, in the naxal affected Naugarh area of adjoining Chandauli district this morning.

Inspector General (Varanasi Zone) A C Sharma told UNI over phone that Lakshman Ram, a mentally ill constable with the H company of 26th PAC Batallion today opened fire in the PAC camp in the Aurawa Tand area killing two jawans, including an Armed Police personnel, and critically wounding three others.

''Lakshman, despite being on leave got his service rifle issued this morning and then opened fire in the camp, killing UP Armed Police constable Daya Ram Yadav (45) and Shivdhari Thakur (59) of the PAC Battalion, he said.

Three other PAC jawans including Jogindar Saroj (20), Moti Lal (54) and Akhilesh Pratap (42) were wounded critically in the fire and have been admitted to the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) hospital in Varanasi.

The IG further said that examination of Lakhshman's belongings has revealed that he was mentally ill and was undergoing treatment at Ranchi. Belonging to the Ballia district of East Uttar Pradesh, Lakshman, is absconding with an INSAS rifle looted from the PAC camp, he added.

Mr Sharma further said he has requested the DGP to direct the PAC officials to hold a probe as to how a mentally ill personnel was allowed on duty with arms.

Two teams have been sent to nab the absconding Lakshman, but some PAC personnel at the camp claimed hearing a gunshot from the area where Lakshman had fled, raising the possibility that he might have committed suicide.

UNI ARS MB VD BD1733