Kupwara, March 29, KNT: Three Army personnel were injured after a soldier allegedly opened fire inside a barrack during night hours in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, officials said on Sunday.
The incident occurred within a military unit area where the accused, identified as Naik Driver Mechanical Transport, Pawan Kumar, reportedly fired from his personal INSAS rifle, resulting in multiple gunshot injuries to fellow personnel.
According to initial reports, three personnel sustained injuries of varying severity. Naik Driver Mechanical Transport, Shukla, suffered gunshot wounds to the abdomen and leg and is stated to be in critical condition. Another soldier, identified as AV Rathore Dayal, received gunshot injuries to the thigh and femur. Sepoy Manish sustained a minor splinter injury to the left buttock.
All the injured personnel were immediately evacuated and shifted to 168 Military Hospital Drugmulla in Kupwara for treatment, officials said.
A senior official said the accused was quickly overpowered. “The individual who opened fire has been disarmed and taken into custody within the brigade. The situation is under control,” the official said.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the motive behind the firing, and an internal inquiry is expected to determine the circumstances leading to the incident.
The accused has been serving in the Army for 17 years and is a resident of Morena district in Madhya Pradesh, according to available details.
Further details are awaited as the investigation progresses, officials added. [KNT]
