Assam: CRPF jawan kills two colleagues, self in camp firing
Three Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel died after a shooting incident at the forces' 34 Battalion camp in Katimari, central Assam's Nagaon district, on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, officials said.
The deceased were identified as Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Ballani Premabaram from Andhra Pradesh, Head Constable Vishnu Prasad Baghel, and Sub-Inspector Ramnawal Singh Yadav. According to initial reports, Premabaram opened fire on Baghel and Yadav, killing Yadav on the spot. Baghel, who was critically injured, later succumbed to his wounds at a hospital.
Premabaram also shot ASI Govind Sripul Mane of the CRPF's 171 Battalion, who is presently undergoing treatment at a local hospital. His condition was reported to be stable, police said.
After the shooting, Premabaram reportedly entered the barracks of the 171 Battalion and shot himself, dying on the spot. Officials stated that the sequence of events has been pieced together from eyewitness accounts and preliminary evidence.
The CRPF authorities and the Nagaon district police have registered a case and initiated a detailed investigation into the incident. "The motive is not clear at present, and we are probing all possible angles," said a district police officer involved in the investigation.
Fragging, the term used for deliberate attacks on fellow soldiers or officers, is an uncommon but deeply serious offence in armed forces. Experts point to a range of potential triggers, including personal disputes, mental stress, or underlying grudges, though no official statement on the cause has been made yet.
The CRPF is one of India's largest central armed police forces, deployed across the country for internal security and counter-insurgency operations. The 34 Battalion was stationed at the Katimari camp as part of routine deployment in the northeastern region.
A senior CRPF official said that all standard protocols are being followed, and a preliminary inquiry is underway. "We are cooperating with the local police and will ensure a thorough probe. The families of the deceased are being informed," he said.
Senior officers from both battalions have been dispatched to the camp to coordinate the investigation and provide administrative support. A forensic team has also been called in to examine the scene of the incident.
This incident has sent shockwaves through the local security establishment, although officials have appealed for calm and requested the public not to speculate until the investigation is complete. Further details are awaited.
