Full Breakdown
CISF Fratricide at Kathua Hydroelectric Project Leaves Four Dead
By Drooid · · How we work
Incident Overview
On September 29, 2026, a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) head constable opened fire on colleagues at the Sewa hydroelectric project in Mashka village, Basohli tehsil, Kathua district. Using an AK-47, he killed Assistant Commandant Ankit Kumar Pandey, Sub-Inspector Lakshman Singh, Constable Rafiq Ahmed and Constable Sandeep Kumar; several others were wounded and later died at the NHPC hospital in Himachal Pradesh. Police secured the site and transferred custody of the accused to local authorities.
Background & Context
The Sewa installations (Sewa-II and Sewa-III) are 120-MW projects operated by NHPC on the Sewa River, a Ravi tributary. CISF units guard such infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir, a region where forces also monitor borders and conduct counter-insurgency operations. Similar intra-force incidents have occurred in the Jammu division, including a 2024 shooting in Kupwara and a CISF incident in Udhampur.
Personnel Affected
- Assistant Commandant: Ankit Kumar Pandey
- Sub-Inspector: Lakshman Singh
- Constable: Rafiq Ahmed
- Constable: Sandeep Kumar
All four died from bullet injuries after being taken to the NHPC hospital.
Official Responses
- Kathua Superintendent of Police Mohita Sharma confirmed the arrest and said a case was filed under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act.
- CISF officials reported that the service weapon was seized and an internal inquiry launched.
- CISF headquarters announced a Court of Inquiry to establish the sequence of events and examine systemic issues.
- Senior CISF and Jammu & Kashmir police officers were dispatched to secure the area and begin investigations.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Time of the shooting: Reported between 6:40 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
- Project designation: Referred to as Sewa-II or Sewa-III.
- Accused’s name: Variants include Avdesh Kumar Singh, Abhidesh Kumar Singh and Abhidesh Kumar, all identified as a 2009-batch head constable.
- Trigger: All accounts mention an argument, but the specific cause remains undisclosed.
These discrepancies underscore the need for the inquiries to clarify timeline, location and motive.
Implications for Security Operations
The shooting highlights vulnerabilities in armed units protecting critical infrastructure. With multiple hydro projects under CISF guard, the incident raises concerns about internal discipline, conflict-resolution mechanisms and mental-health support. The internal and Court of Inquiry aim to review operational protocols to prevent recurrence and may lead to broader reviews of security force deployment in the region.