Six paramilitary soldiers killed in firing among themselves in India

At least six paramilitary soldiers were killedafter one of the soldiers allegedly opened fire at his colleagues incentral India on Wednesday, officials said.The incident took place at a camp of Indo-Tibetan Border Police inthe Narayanpur district of Chhattisgarh, among the states worst-hitby a left-wing Maoist insurgency in India."The soldier opened fire at his colleagues in a fit of rage. Anexchange of fire followed and a total of six soldiers including theattacker died. Two more are seriously injured," senior districtofficial Padum Sinh Alma said by phone. Domestic media however reported that the soldier who had shot at fiveof his colleagues later committed suicide by turning the gun onhimself.The reason for the dispute was unclear. It is suspected that thesoldier was upset at not getting leave, Alma said, adding that aninquiry had been ordered.Incidents of soldiers killing their colleagues are not uncommon inIndia, particularly in areas like Kashmir and Chhattisgarh where theforces are battling violent insurgencies.In the past, such incidents of shootings and suicides by troops havebeen blamed by officials on stress due to hostile conditions and longseparations from families.