‘ Depressed’ BSF jawan fires near Omar home

Srinagar, Nov. 17: In a major security lapse, a “depressed” BSF jawan posted outside the residence of Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah here fired around 12 rounds in the air on Monday morning, triggering panic in the high security area. No one was injured in the firing by constable Keshto Ghosh, who was deployed in the peripheral security at the chief minister’s residence at Gupkar Road. Mr Abdullah was away on campaigning for the upcoming Assembly polls. Ghosh, who hails from West Bengal, was immediately overpowered and taken into custody. He told the interrogators that he was facing severe mental depression because of which he indulged in this act, official sources said. Mr Abdullah, who was in Nubra in Ladakh, tweeted “notwithstanding today’s incident with the BSF jawan stationed at my residence in Srinagar today I have full confidence in my security team”. BSF spokesman said Ghosh, a 2012 recruit, was physically fit but started behaving abnormally on Monday morning. There were no administrative issues with the constable, he said. “He has been availing the leave entitlement. There is nothing on that front,” the spokesman added. “He will not be posted on duty again till the inquiry into the incident is over and he is given a clearance by the doctors,” the spokesman said. The incident caused panic in the high security zone where residences of several politicians including ministers, senior state government officials and intelligence officers are situated.

— PTI Tourists play with snow after the season’s first snowfall at Peer Ki Gali, in Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian district, on Monday.

Omar Abdullah BSF spokesman said Ghosh, a 2012 recruit, was physically fit but started behaving abnormally on Monday morning. There were no administrative issues with the constable, he said.