Story perspectives

IPS Officer Fired AK-47 During Dussehra Puja, Fired Notice Issued

By Drooid · Oct 22, 2026, 4:24 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Ankita Sharma Fires AK-47

IPS officer Ankita Sharma fired an AK-47, discharging at least ten rounds, during a Dussehra Shastra Puja.
Police headquarters issued a show-cause notice on October 20, citing breach of weapon-handling rules.
Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao announced the government will take cognizance of the incident.
India’s Arms Act Section 25(9) (2019 amendment) permits up to two years’ jail or Rs 1 lakh fine for celebratory firing.

Summary

Neelam Sharma Aerial Shoot

A video of SP Neelam Sharma’s aerial rifle firing went viral on X, sparking debate.
Retired Lt Gen Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon said the act was unsafe as the rifle pointed at people.
Retired Lt Col Sushil Singh Sheoran called the ceremony wasteful and a safety violation.
Supporters praised Sharma’s confidence, calling her ‘Lady Singham’, warning such displays could cause accidents.

History

Historical Context

Celebratory gunfire that injured Delhi civilians mirrors stray-bullet incidents elsewhere, such as the 2007 Lahore kite-festival killing five people and the 2013 Pakistani election firing that wounded a woman and her niece. These events spurred tighter controls, seen in Lebanon’s 2008 calls to end fire after deaths and Jordan’s 2017-18 rise to three fatalities and 48 injuries, prompting Indian states to tighten arms regulations.

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Ankita Sharma Fires AK-47

IPS officer Ankita Sharma fired an AK-47, discharging at least ten rounds, during a Dussehra Shastra Puja.
Police headquarters issued a show-cause notice on October 20, citing breach of weapon-handling rules.
Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao announced the government will take cognizance of the incident.
India’s Arms Act Section 25(9) (2019 amendment) permits up to two years’ jail or Rs 1 lakh fine for celebratory firing.

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