BSF trooper opens fire at Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's residence

Srinagar, Nov 17: A BSF trooper, posted at Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's residence, on Monday accidentally opened fire, police said.

"A BSF (Border Security Force) sentry posted at the chief minister's residence fired a few shots from his automatic rifle accidentally. The BSF trooper was immediately disarmed after being identified," a senior police official told IANS.

Tension spread in the high-security Gupkar road area as people believed an attack had taken place at the chief minister's residence.

Constable Keshto Ghosh was deployed in the peripheral security at the Chief Minister's residence at Gupkar Road. Abdullah was away on campaigning for the upcoming Assembly polls.

Ghosh, who hails from West Bengal, was immediately overpowered and taken into custody. He told the interrogators that he was facing severe mental depression because of which he indulged in this act, official sources said.

Omar, who was in Nubra in Ladakh, tweeted "notwithstanding today's incident with the BSF jawan stationed at my residence in Srinagar today I have full confidence in my security team."

BSF spokesman said Ghosh, a 2012 recruit, was physically fit but started behaving abnormally this morning. There were no administrative issues with the constable, he said.

"He has been availing the leave entitlement. There is nothing on that front," the spokesman added.

"He will not be posted on duty again till the inquiry into the incident is over and he is given a clearance by the doctors," the spokesman said.

The incident caused panic in the high security zone where residences of several politicians including ministers, senior state government officials and intelligence officers are situated.

IANS