Fatalities Reported in Firing Incident at Indian Military Garrison in Punjab State

2023-04-13 03:30:40

(MENAFN) On Wednesday, the Indian Army reported at least four fatalities in a “firing incident” that occurred inside the Bathinda military station in India’s northern Punjab state. The incident was reported in the early hours of Wednesday, and the area was cordoned off and sealed with search operations in progress. While the cause of the incident remains under investigation, Punjab police sources have suggested that it could have been carried out by a soldier, ruling out terrorism as a possible motive.

The state of Punjab, which is home to a Sikh religious minority, shares a border with Pakistan and has witnessed recent violence by groups demanding a separate nation for Sikhs. Last month, authorities launched a manhunt for firebrand Sikh separatist preacher Amritpal Singh, who has rallied a large following in recent months by demanding the creation of Khalistan, a separate Sikh homeland. The struggle for Khalistan sparked deadly violence in Punjab in the 1980s and 1990s.

Despite the recent unrest in Punjab, Bathinda's top police official GS Khurana has told broadcaster NDTV that the incident did not appear to be a terrorist attack. However, tensions between India and Pakistan remain high, with the two nations having fought several wars in the past.

The incident has raised concerns about the safety and security of military personnel stationed in sensitive areas. The Indian Army has launched a joint investigation in coordination with the Punjab Police to establish the facts of the case. Such incidents highlight the importance of maintaining a robust security apparatus and conducting thorough investigations to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

It is critical for authorities to take measures to ensure the safety of military personnel and civilians alike. The incident underscores the need for continued efforts to promote peace and stability in the region, and to address the root causes of conflicts to prevent violence from escalating. As the investigation into the Bathinda incident continues, it is essential for authorities to remain vigilant and take all necessary steps to prevent such incidents from occurring again.

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