Arrest made after four CISF personnel shot dead in Kathua

UPDATE - follow-up to Four CISF personnel killed in fratricide incident in Kathua; accused held: Four Central Industrial Security Force personnel died on Tuesday after a colleague opened fire following an argument at a power project unit in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district.

What Happened

According to official reports, the shooting took place around the evening near the border with Himachal Pradesh. The accused Head Constable, identified as Abhidesh Singh, had reportedly argued with his colleagues before grabbing an AK-47 rifle and opening fire. The four injured personnel were taken to the NHPC Hospital in neighbouring Himachal Pradesh, where they all succumbed to their injuries. The victims include Assistant Commandant Ankit Kumar Pandey, Sub Inspector Lakshman Singh, Constable Rafiq Ahmed, and Constable Sandeep Kumar.

Action Taken

Following the incident, the accused was overpowered by other colleagues at the site and handed over to local police. Kathua Senior Superintendent of Police Mohita Sharma confirmed the arrest after officers secured the area. Meanwhile, the paramilitary force is setting up an internal inquiry to look into the exact cause of the violence.

Context

Fratricidal incidents among armed security personnel usually point to deep stress, personal disputes, or sudden workplace arguments under high-pressure deployment conditions. Such security units are routinely assigned to guard vital public infrastructure like hydroelectric power stations across sensitive regions. Authorities typically rely on internal inquiries and police investigations to uncover the specific triggers behind these rare armed clashes.