A Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) jawan died reportedly after a shot was fired from his service gun while he was on duty at the Kolkata airport around 5.15am on Thursday.
Police said they were awaiting the post-mortem report to ascertain whether the injuries on C. Vishnu were suicidal or accidental. The jawan was alone in a tower near gate number five of the airport when the incident happened.
The 27-year-old from Telengana was posted at the Kolkata airport in October 2023, airport officials said.
“C. Vishnu was alone at the post where he was deployed. His shift had started at 10pm on Wednesday and was to end at 6am. The incident happened shortly before his shift was to end,” said an officer of the Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate.
He was carrying an INSAS rifle which got fired, the officer said.
“It is not clear whether he had committed suicide or the shot was fired accidentally. The post-mortem report and the forensic reports will be able to clarify that,” the officer said.
An assistant commissioner of the Bidhannagar commissionerate, who was on duty at the airport, was the first to hear the gunshot. Vishnu was found in a pool of blood. The bullet had pierced his forehead.
Airport officials said Vishnu was rushed to Charnock Hospital.
“The patient was gasping when he was brought to the Emergency ward. He was intubated and ventilated. A surgery was planned at 8am but the patient suffered a cardiac arrest and was given CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). He died around 9.30am,” said an official at Charnock Hospital.
Police said Vishnu’s family has been informed about the death. There was no complaint or evidence suggesting foul play till Thursday evening. The police have started an unnatural death case.
A police officer said they have come to know that Vishnu was preparing for several competitive exams. "There is nothing to suggest that he was depressed or worried, which could have prompted him to end his life," the officer said.
"He had recently applied for leave, which was sanctioned. But he later cancelled it," said an airport official.