SRINAGAR: An army jawan shot and killed a major who rebuked him for using his mobile phone while on-duty near the Line of Control (LoC). The incident happened in the Uri sector of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Tuesday. Defence sources said major Shikhar Thapa found sepoy naik Kathiresan using a mobile phone while on duty at the Butcher Post, close to the LoC in Uri sector around midnight.
Sources said, “The officer rebuked the jawan and warned him that he would report the matter to the commanding officer. When the officer tried to seize the phone, the jawan resisted and it lead to a heated argument between the two.”
Later, the irate jawan reportedly opened fire at the officer from his AK-47 service rifle. He fired five bullets at major Thapa, who died on the spot after sustaining injuries.
Soon, other soldiers rushed to the spot and overpowered the jawan before disarming him.
Sources said the jawan was taken into custody.
Defence spokesperson in Srinagar, Colonel Rajesh Kalia confirmed the incident. He said that an investigation by the army and police was underway.
Major Shikhar Thapa belonged to the 71 Armoured Regiment of the army. But he was attached to 8 Rashtriya Rifles — the army’s counter-insurgency unit deployed in Uri — when the incident occurred.
An army official said the force is interrogating the jawan to know what led him to commit the act. Asked if the jawan would be handed over to the police or would remain in the army’s custody, an army source said it would be clear in a day or two.