Bathinda military station firing: Weapon used in shooting located; FIR against 2 unknown persons

Punjab Police registered an FIR against two unknown persons in connection with the case. The FIR was registered on the basis of the statement of Major Ashutosh Shukla, a witness in the firing incident.

There is no terror angle in the shooting incident that took place at Bathinda Military Station where at least four persons have been reported killed, said Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Bathinda Range Surinder Pal Singh Parmar.

"This morning the news of firing in the army cantonment of Bathinda was received, and it was found that four people died. Top army officers and police officers reached the spot and the investigation is still going on," ADGP Parmar said.

Indian Army stated that the weapon used in the Bathinda Military Station shooting has been located, but the shooter is yet to be nabbed. "According to the FIR, both were dressed in kurta-pyjama," it stated. 

Considering the sensitivities involved, the Indian Army today asked the media to avoid rumours and refrain from speculation over a firing incident inside the Military Station in Punjab's Bathinda, which led to the deaths of four soldiers, and "the area continues to be sealed off to establish the facts of the case".

Four army jawans of an artillery unit succumbed to gunshot injuries sustained during the firing incident at Bathinda Military Station. No other injuries to personnel or loss/damage to property reported. The area continues to be sealed off and joint investigations with Punjab Police are being coordinated to establish the facts of the case. All aspects including the possible case of involvement of an INSAS rifle along with 28 rounds reported missing two days back are being ascertained, said Indian Army

Police termed the incident as a "fratricidal incident". Punjab's Additional Director General of Police, SPS Parmar told PTI over the phone, "It is not a terrorist attack, it is not an attack from outside. It is a fratricidal incident". 

The gates of the Bathinda Military Station have been closed following a firing incident that has left four dead. Punjab police sources have said that there is no terror angle to the incident. Visuals from outside the military station deferred by unspecified time.

The Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has been informed briefly about the Bathinda military station firing incident by the Indian Army officials today. 

The Station Quick Reaction Teams were activated and the area was cordoned off and sealed. Also, the search operation is in progress. 

At least four casualties have been reported in a firing incident which took place in the morning at around 04:35 am inside Bathinda Military Station today.