An Indian Army junior commissioned officer was killed in a firing incident inside a military camp in Jammu and Kashmir’s Samba district, triggering an investigation into a possible case of fratricide, officials said on Tuesday.
The incident took place at the Bari Brahmana camp on Tuesday night, when gunshots were reportedly heard within the premises. The officer, identified as Surjeet Singh, a resident of Reasi district, was found critically injured while on duty. He was immediately rushed to a nearby medical facility, but doctors declared him dead on arrival.
According to official sources, initial investigations have ruled out any terrorist involvement in the incident. Instead, authorities are probing the possibility of fratricide, an incident involving personnel from the same unit. One jawan, who was posted at the same camp, is currently missing and is being investigated as a prime suspect in the shooting.
Sources further claimed that the missing jawan may have fled the camp with arms and ammunition following the incident. A manhunt has been launched to trace and apprehend him. Police officials confirmed that a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered and a joint investigation by the Army and local police is underway.
The Indian Army expressed condolences to the bereaved family. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Army said it stands firmly with the family of the deceased officer in this hour of grief and assured them of full support.
Security has been tightened in and around the camp as investigations continue. Officials said all angles, including personal disputes and service-related issues, are being examined to establish the exact sequence of events that led to the fatal firing.
The incident has once again brought attention to internal security and stress-related challenges faced by armed forces personnel, even as authorities stress that conclusions will only be drawn after the investigation is completed.
