Days after four soldiers were killed in a firing incident at the Bathinda Military Station, the Punjab Police arrested an Army jawan (soldier) in connection with the killings.
The police and the Army in their statements have cited personal animosity, enmity, as the reason behind the killings.
According to the statement released by the South Western Command of the Indian Army, “...Gunner Desai Mohan, from the Artillery unit where the incident occurred has confessed to his involvement in stealing of an INSAS [Indian Small Arms System] rifle and killing four of his colleagues to the Police.”
“Initial investigations indicate that this was apparently due to personal reasons — animosity,” it said.
“As per his confession, on early morning of April 9, 2023, he stole the weapon along with a filled magazine. He then hid the weapon. On April 12, 2023, at around 0430 hours, while he was on sentry duty, he recovered the weapon from its hiding place, moved to the first floor, and killed all four personnel while they were asleep,” it added.
The individual then proceeded to throw the weapon into the sewage pit. The weapon and additional ammunition have been recovered from the sewage pit, according to the statement.
On April 12, four soldiers were killed in their sleep in firing inside the Bathinda Military Station. Later, an FIR was lodged under section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code and relevant sections of the Arms Act against two unidentified persons.
Bathinda Senior Superintendent of Police Gulneet Singh Khurana told journalists that Desai Mohan had in his statement stated that he saw two unidentified men coming out of the barracks after the firing who had covered their faces and heads.
Mr. Khurana said Desai Mohan in his statement mentioned during the initial FIR stated that of the two, he saw one of them carrying an INSAS rifle and the other an axe, which was an attempt to divert attention of investigating agencies.
“...However, after we probed the matter, Desai Mohan has confessed to the killings,” added Mr. Khurana.
