Bengaluru: Commando killed as gun accidentally goes off

Bengaluru: A commando died and another was injured when a gun accidentally went off in Counter Terrorism Centre (CTC) in Kudulugate in HSR police station limits on Thursday morning.

The incident happened around 9.30 am and the deceased has been identified as Mahadeva Swamy, 29, and the injured as Manjula, 28, a police sub-inspector and the duty commander. While Mahadeva Swamy succumbed to his injury at the hospital due to excessive blood loss, the doctors managed to operate the bullet out of Manjula’s back and she is said to be out of danger, said hospital sources.

According to the police, a group of commandos, originally from the City Armed Reserve police North in Thanisandra, was on deputation to CTC, where commandos are kept ready for deployment in case of terror or terror related attacks. “While one team had deposited their arms after their drill, the other team was about to collect it and apparently, Mahadeva Swamy and Manjula were new in the team,” said DCP South East, Rohini Katoch Sepat adding that a member commando named Rajashekar had deposited his gun along with the round loaded in the armory. “While Mahadeva Swamy picked up the gun, it reportedly misfired and the bullet hit through his thigh, exited out of the wound and hit Manjula on the back while she was standing near Mahadeva Swamy,” said the DCP.

Senior police officers including Additional Director General (ADG), Internal Security Division (ISD) Amar Kumar Pandey and Additional Commissioner of Police, East Division Harishekaran visited the spot and took stock of the situation.

There were medical facilities available at the centre, but Mahadeva Swamy had grievous hurt on his thigh and the exit wound had ruptured his femoral artery he suffered excessive blood loss. He along with Manjula was rushed to a nearby hospital, where the former succumbed to his injury, while the latter underwent a surgery and is said to be in stable condition. The body was shifted for post-mortem.

An inquiry has been initiated to ascertain if it was a human error or a machine error, said a senior police officer. An FIR has been registered at the HSR police station and further investigations are underway.