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Soldier runs amok, kills two

An army soldier ran amok and sprayed bullets around, killing a captain and a soldier at village Enilu in Doda district, the police said. He was shot dead by another soldier.

Sources said the captain had refused the soldier leave to go home, citing the prevailing situation in the area. The soldier lost his temper and argued with the captain.

Later, while drinking with other soldiers, he took out his automatic weapon and shot the captain dead. The bullets missed the other soldiers around. When they tried to overpower him, he opened fire indiscriminately, killing another soldier, before he himself was gunned down.

Senior officer later visited the area. The police said the army unit had been rushed to Doda by the Centre to impart specialised training to the state police task force personnel engaged in anti-militancy operations in Doda district.

Only few days ago, an army soldier in Kashmir valley shot dead a junior commissioned officer at Pulwama. Sources said the JCO had an altercation with the soldier, who also reportedly sought leave. When the JCO refused permission, he shot the officer dead with his rifle. The soldier later shot himself.

Police sources here said the soldiers were working under difficult conditions in Kashmir and that the killings were a result of heavy stress. Similar incidents had been reported from other parts of the state earlier too.

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