IMPHAL, June 6: Bodies of four personnel of 6 IRB who lost lives in a fratricidal killing have been taken by their families after conducting autopsy at JNIMS mortuary Wednesday.
Rifleman Baikhohao Hangsing shot and killed three Havildars of 6 IRB posted at Maphou Dam under Lamlai Police Station yesterday. Preliminary reports had said the rifleman was heavily drunk when he fired indiscriminately at the three Havildars, killing them on the spot before he shot himself and died.
The Havildars are Khamjathang Ngaite, 55 of New Lamka, Vengnuam, Thokchom Birbal, 34 of Toubul and Huirongbam Deven, 49 of Khekman. Hangsing, 26, who killed them before killing himself, is from Churachandpur district.
A driver named Abdul Kadar in the IRB post said that he heard a gunshot when he was taking bath near a reservoir in the compound of the IRB post. He saw Hangsing suddenly coming out from the barracks hanging an SLR on his shoulder and holding another in hand in an angry mood. He first fired one round at him but the bullet hit on the water tank and then he shot Havildar Birbal who collapsed instantly as bullets hit him.
Almost all the personnel fled the post as Hangsing was firing indiscriminately toward them, Abdul said, adding that he also ran by jumping over the gate. All the personnel took refuge at a BSF camp nearby.
However, the first man who died in the firing was Havildar Ngaite. The SLR used by Hangsing was belonged to Rifleman KK Lan but the magazine was belonged to Hangsing.
It is said that Hangsing had a history of mental illness.