Constable shoots colleague, turns gun on himself near training centre in Udhampur

Two policemen died in a case of fratricide and suicide inside a police vehicle in Udhampur while they were on their way to Reasi district early on Sunday morning.

The incident took place when three personnel were going from Sopore in Kashmir region to Subsidiary Training Centre (STC) Talwara in Reasi district of Jammu region in a police vehicle.

A police constable allegedly opened fire on his colleague before shooting himself dead. One of the personnel who escaped unhurt is being questioned about the incident.

The bullet-riddled bodies of the policemen were seen lying inside a police van near the Kali temple in Rehembal area of Udhampur around 6.30 am. The police teams rushed to the spot and during initiation investigation it was found to be a case of fratricide and suicide.

An official informed the driver of the vehicle who was a constable and a head constable died in the incident while a selection grade constable, who was also travelling in the vehicle escaped unhurt and is being questioned.

An official statement by J&K police read, “Today at about 6.30 am, Rehembal police station (in Udhampur) received information that two policemen from Sopore travelling towards STC Talwara in a department vehicle have suffered bullet injuries due to firing. Initial investigation reveals that it is a case of fratricide and suicide. Senior police officers have reached the spot and investigation is underway.”

The SSP concerned said, “Police reached the spot and as per initial investigation it was confirmed that AK-47 rifle was used in the incident. The vehicle had three police personnel. Two police personnel died and the third is safe.”

In the preliminary FSL examination and analysis of bodies, it was found rounds were fired from an AK-47, which was the service weapon. Both bodies were shifted to GMC Udhampur for postmortem.

Both police personnel were residents of Kashmir region including Srinagar and Sopore.