BSF jawan opens fire at a camp in Malda, kills a colleague, injures four others

Malda (WB), Feb 17: In a suspected case of fratricide, a BSF jawan on Tuesday allegedly opened fire at the force's camp near here today, killing a colleague and injuring four others.

Director General BSF, Malda Sector, Raj Singh Rathore, said a BSF personnel belonging to the 20 battalion posted at 17 Mile near Farakka, opened fire killing one jawan on the spot.

Four others, who sustained injuries, were rushed to a private nursing home in Malda town, he said. Officials said the suspected fratricidal incident occurred at the Farrakka battalion camp of the BSF when constable Basant Singh allegedly fired on his fellow personnel who were asleep.

While Head Constable Moolchand succumbed to his injuries on the spot inside the camp, the injured who were rushed to the hospital include constables Kamal Basa, S K Prabhakar and Surender. "All have borne bullet injuries fired from the INSAS rifle of Singh.

About 4-5 rounds are suspected to have been fired," officials said. The reasons for Singh taking the extreme step are being probed, they said.

Singh (35) is on the run and a manhunt has been launched to nab him, they said. Investigations are on into the incident, Rathore who visited the injured at the nursing home, said.

Additional Superintendent of Police Abhishek Modi confirmed the incident but said no formal complaint had been registered with the police till now.

PTI