The Hindu : New Delhi News : Panic in Vasant Vihar over shoot-out

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Feb 25, 2006

New Delhi

New Delhi

Panic in Vasant Vihar over shoot-out

Staff Reporter

Two cops allegedly open fire, kill each other

NEW DELHI: The high profile Vasant Vihar colony of South-West Delhi which houses a number of foreign missions and diplomats witnessed a panic situation on Friday night when two constables of the Provincial Armed Constabulary of the Uttar Pradesh Police who were posted at the Iraqi Embassy here opened fire at each other following an altercation. Both the constables, identified as Satpal and Balkishan, were killed on the spot.

The incident took place around 9-15 p.m. The personnel belonging to UP PAC's 24th Battalion (D Company Moradabad) were on night duty at the Iraqi Embassy, one of the most heavily guarded foreign missions in the Capital. The police said there were some personal differences between the two constables and the situation took an ugly turn after they had a bitter argument this evening.

Information about the two having got into a fight was immediately conveyed to their Company Guard Commander posted at the Embassy -- Head Constable Shiv Kumar Singh -- who rushed to the spot to defuse the situation. He also contacted his seniors to get them relieved of night duty and replace them with other personnel.

However, before he could sort the matter out, the two constables in a fit of rage opened fire at each other with their service weapons.

The burst of bullets killed both of them instantly.

For about two hours the bodies of the deceased cops lay at the spot as senior Delhi Police officers and the UP PAC officers reached there to conduct investigations.

The firing incident also led to panic in the area as many thought it was a terrorist strike. The Vasant Vihar Police has registered a case.

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