Four soldiers were killed in a shooting at an Indian army base in Bathinda, Punjab, early on Wednesday morning. The shooting took place at 4:35 AM at the military station, which mostly houses families of soldiers. Authorities confirmed no other injuries or property damage occurred, and the base was quickly sealed off. The incident was not considered a terrorist attack, and investigations are ongoing.
While the exact details and the identity of the shooters remain unclear, there is speculation that a rifle, which was reported missing two days earlier, may be involved. Punjab police are working with the army to investigate the matter. The shooting occurred just a day before the Baisakhi festival, which celebrates the start of the harvest season.
Punjab has been tense due to the manhunt for Amritpal Singh, a Sikh separatist leader. The area has been under high security due to his calls for a separate Sikh homeland, which has led to unrest in the state.