Jammu, Dec 08 (KNO): In Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district, a policeman allegedly shot dead his colleague with an AK-47 assault rifle before taking his own life early Sunday, officials said.
According to the officials, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that three policemen were traveling from north Kashmir’s Sopore to the Subsidiary Training Centre (STC) Talwara in the Reasi district of Jammu region when the incident occurred.
"Early this morning, a vehicle bearing registration number JK05E-4703, driven by Constable Manjeet Singh, was traveling from Sopore to Talwara Reasi. Two other cops, Harmeet Singh and Head Constable Malik, were also in the vehicle. Near Kali Mata Mandir in Rehambal, Udhampur, Head Constable Malik shot at Constable (driver) Manjeet Singh following an argument and subsequently shot himself, resulting in the deaths of both," official sources reported.
The bullet-riddled bodies of the two policemen were found inside the police vehicle near the Kali Mata temple in the Rehambal area around 6:30 am. A selection-grade constable, who was also in the vehicle, escaped unhurt and is currently being questioned, officials added.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Udhampur, Amod Ashok Nagpure, confirmed that the accused used his service AK-47 rifle in the shooting. "Both individuals were posted in Sopore and hailed from Kashmir. Preliminary investigations suggest this is a case of fratricide followed by suicide," the SSP stated.
Senior police officers have reached the scene, and a detailed investigation is underway to ascertain the circumstances leading to the incident—(KNO)