AN Indian policeman who had taken to yoga in a bid to relive stress from work has shot dead four of his colleagues.
The alleged attacker, Balvir Singh, was reportedly upset at being denied leave.
He allegedly killed four of his workmates in the federal security force in Bihar in eastern India with his service rifle. Two officers died at the scene and two died on the way to hospital.
Singh allegedly used his rifle to kill his colleagues who had assembled for a shift change. He was eventually overpowered but not until after he managed to fire 32 rounds. He had 120 rounds of ammunition on him when he opened fire, police allege.
The policeman, known as a jawan, has been arrested.
Balvir was said to have just returned to work from a two-month yoga course.
“Investigations are on … this much is clear that he fired in a fit of rage,” investigators told The Times of India.
The newspaper said he was upset at not being granted leave.
“He seems to be upset. He said he was furious because he was not granted leave, but he is not giving straight replies to questions,” a police officer told the newspaper.
He had been involved in the security force which was guarding a power plant that is under construction in the region.
The force serves as a federal police force that provides security to industrial facilities throughout India. The Central Industrial Security Force is investigating the incident.
The CISF said they were unsure as to the alleged shooter’s motive.
“He has just returned from leave eight days ago and had not asked for leave again,” CISF spokesman Manjit Singh said.
“In fact the Constable had availed more than two and a half months’ leave on several occasions during the last one year, which is well above the annual normal leave authorisation. So leave was absolutely not an issue in his case.”
The incident is another in a number of recent fratricidal, or fragging, incidents in India, where soldiers shoot their own forces.
Online Source: news.com.au
