Four army personnel were shot dead by two men wearing masks at Bathinda Military Station in the wee hours of Tuesday. The attackers were wearing “kurta pajamas” and also carrying a rifle and sharp-edged weapons.
As per the FIR, the four jawans – Sagar, Kamlesh, Santosh and Yogesh – were asleep in their room after their duty when two masked men in white kurta pyjamas attacked them with rifles and sharp-edged weapons.
Sources said a search team has located the INSAS rifle along with the magazine. A joint team of Army and Police will now be undertaking forensic analysis of the weapon to ascertain further details.
“The joint investigation with Punjab Police is in progress. All possible assistance is being provided,” the South Western Command of the Army said.
“It is reiterated that no individual has been detained or apprehended. Considering the sensitivities involved,” said the SW Command.
A case under sections 302 (murder) and 25 (arms act) has been registered at Bathinda Cantt police station.
Earlier, Bathinda SSP Gulneet Khurana had ruled out a terrorist attack. “This is not a terrorist attack. It was an internal matter of the army. Punjab police are working with the army to probe the incident,” Khurana said.
As per the FIR, one attacker was carrying an INSAS assault rifle and another was carrying an axe. Both of them fled towards the jungle area of the army cantonment.
It is also said one officer was among the targets of the attackers, however, he managed to save himself by shutting the door of the guard room. The incident had taken place at around 4.30 am.
The Punjab police sources also said that one assault rifle had gone missing from the camp two days ago. An FIR regarding the missing rifle was also registered. The case was being investigated.