News / India

Soldier shots dead four senior officers over leave dispute in eastern India

Thursday, 12 January 2017 4:55 PM [ Last Update: Thursday, 12 January 2017 5:34 PM ]

Indian army soldiers take position during an encounter with suspected militants near a General Engineering Reserve Force (GREF) camp in the village of Batal in Akhnoor district, some 50 kilometers north of Jammu, on January 9, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

A paramilitary soldier from one of India's elite security units has shot dead at least four of his senior officers in an apparent row over leave in the eastern Bihar state, police officials say.

The casualties were caused after the rogue soldier fired indiscriminately at the officers at the barracks in Aurangabad district on Thursday.

Satya Prakash, Aurangabad police chief, said that the incident took place at a thermal power plant, where the officers were stationed. All the victims were unarmed and were off-duty.

"Three died on the spot while one injured officer succumbed to his injuries at a hospital," the police chief said.

“He shot 32 rounds before he was overpowered by his colleagues and is suspected to be suffering from some mental illness,” he added.

The soldier belonged to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which guards the country's most vital civil and government installations, including atomic plants and airports.

India's security forces have witnessed similar incidents linked to long hours, poor working conditions and inadequate time off in the past.

Most of the incidents have been reported in the disputed Kashmir Valley and north-eastern states.

In February 2014, a trooper killed five colleagues before killing himself in Indian-controlled Kashmir after a superior denied him leave. The incident took place at a military camp about 20 kilometers north of the city of Srinagar.

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