Jawan kills colleagues, commits suicide

Jammu: An Army jawan posted in Rashtriya Rifles (RR) on Monday went on a shooting spree with his service rifle, killing two of his colleagues before committing suicide at Budhal in Rajouri district, official sources said.

''Naik Lingam of 60 RR, while on ROP (road opening party) duty at Kewal Budhal, shot dead his comrades sepoy Sunil Kumar and sepoy Thakur with his service weapon, before committing suicide,'' police sources said.

Confirming the incident, which occured at around 1500 hrs, XVI corps spokesman colonel D K Badola said, ''the families of the victims are being informed.''

Earlier on October 21, an army jawan of signals regiment went berserk and killed three of his colleagues at Narian in the same district.

Increased level of mental stress among security personnel in this militancy-infested state is said to be the main reason behind such incidents.