SRINAGAR: A Major rank Rashtriya Rifles officer who injured three officers and two soldiers in a fratricide incident has been arrested and a court martial proceedings launched, official sources said. The incident took place near the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri on Thursday.
The shocking incident occurred at the Neeli post in the Thanamandi area of the district and the army took eight hours to manage the officer who went berserk. The Major, whose identity has been disclosed as Prince, is now facing a Court of Inquiry following the distressing events that transpired.
The incident began when the Major, seemingly under the influence of a panic attack stemming from personal domestic issues following the recent death of a close relative, reportedly opened fire on his fellow officers during a routine shooting practice session. This unprovoked act resulted in three officers and two soldiers sustaining injuries. One officer was struck by a bullet in the neck, although the injury is not considered fatal.
Following the initial gunfire, the Major took shelter within the unit’s armoury. From this fortified position, he proceeded to launch grenades at his superiors, who were attempting to convince him to surrender. This reckless action left the soldiers injured, including those of the commanding officer of the unit and another officer, both of whom suffered splinter injuries. The condition of the second-in-command of the unit is reported to be ‘critical.’
The injured were initially evacuated to Thanamandi from where three were airlifted to the Command Hospital in Udhampur.
The tense standoff persisted for nearly eight hours before the Major was eventually overpowered within the armoury late in the evening on Thursday. As a precautionary measure, the army evacuated a nearby village, reports appearing in the media said.
Jammu-based defence PRO Lt Col Suneel Bartwal emphasised that this was not a militant attack but rather an unfortunate internal incident within the camp. “On 05 Oct 23 one officer was injured in a likely grenade accident at a post in Rajouri sector. Officer evacuated and stable post initial treatment. Further investigation of the incident in progress,” the White Knight Corps of the army posted on Twitter late on Thursday.
The accused Major is currently in custody and undergoing questioning as part of the Court of Inquiry. Authorities are working diligently to ascertain the underlying factors that led to this distressing and unexpected incident. The Court of Inquiry will serve as a vital step in uncovering the full details surrounding the case, and further information will be made available as the investigation progresses.
(The featured image here is merely representational)
