Four CISF personnel killed as colleague opens fire in J&K's Kathua

Four Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel, including an assistant commandant, were killed on Tuesday evening after a colleague allegedly opened fire at the Sewa-III hydroelectric power project in Mashka village, Basohli, in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district, officials told PTI.

The incident took place at around 7.30pm. According to preliminary information, a head constable allegedly opened fire from his service rifle following an argument with some of his colleagues. The four personnel sustained critical injuries and later died during treatment at a nearby NHPC hospital.

The deceased were identified as Assistant Commandant Ankit Kumar Pandey, Sub-Inspector Lakshman Singh, and constables Rafiq Ahmed and Sandeep Kumar. Following the firing, the accused was overpowered by colleagues and subsequently arrested, and his service weapon was seized, the officials said.

Senior CISF and police officers rushed to the scene. Officials said the exact circumstances that led to the argument and the subsequent firing, as well as the motive, have not yet been established.

ABP Live reported that CISF headquarters has ordered a Court of Inquiry into the incident, with the CISF Director General monitoring the investigation.

Sources

• PTI via Business Standard: https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/4-cisf-personnel-killed-after-colleague-opens-fire-in-j-k-s-kathua-126092901312_1.html
• New Indian Express: https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Sep/29/four-cisf-personnel-killed-in-firing-by-colleague-after-argument-in-jks-kathua
• ABP Live: https://news.abplive.com/videos/news/india-breaking-news-four-cisf-personnel-killed-in-firing-at-kathua-power-project-1868975
• Dynamite News: https://www.dynamitenews.com/national/cisf-horror-in-kathua-jawan-opens-fire-on-colleagues-4-personnel-killed