Four soldiers of an artillery unit were shot dead at the Bathinda military station in Punjab early on Wednesday.

The incident is suspected to be a case of fratricide. Punjab police have ruled out any “terrorist attack” angle.

Bathinda’s senior superintendent of police Gulneet Singh Khurana told the media that according to an initial investigation, it appears to be a fratricidal incident. “It is not a terror incident. It is an internal issue. Our investigation teams have reached inside (military station) with all forensic equipment and they are conducting in-depth investigations.”

Police sources said an Insas rifle from the unit and 28 rounds of ammunition had gone missing from the premises two days ago.

The South Western Command of the army said in a statement that the firing incident was reported around 4.35am inside Bathinda military station. “Quick reaction teams were activated and the area was cordoned off and sealed. Search operations are in progress.”

Sources said the firing took place on the premises of the unit’s officer’s mess when the four soldiers, in their mid-20s, were sleeping in a barrack.

The slain jawans were identified as Sagar Banne, 25, Kamalesh R, 24, Yogesh Kumar J, 24, and Santosh M. Nagaral, 25, the police said. Sources said 19 empty shells of Insas rifle were found on the spot.

“A search team has located the Insas rifle along with the magazine. Army and police joint teams will now be undertaking forensic analysis of the weapon for ascertaining further details. It is reiterated that no individual has been detained/apprehended,” the statement said.