ASI dies as service weapon goes off accidentally

Assistant sub-inspector (ASI) posted with the DIG, Ludhiana Range, died as his service revolver went off accidentally at the DIG’s residence on Tuesday morning. The policeman was cleaning the weapon when it went off and a bullet hit his head. The ASI could not survive and died on the spot due to severe injury.

The deceased was identified as 50-year-old Tirath Singh. He was originally from Mullanpur Dakha, Ludhiana, and had been posted here as an ASI for about five years.

On receiving information, the police arrived at the spot and investigated the matter. They also took custody of the body and sent the same for autopsy. The deceased had three children who stay in Canada. The police have informed his local relatives and the children.

According to the police, Tirath Singh worked as a storekeeper at the DIG’s residence. He was on night duty. Around 3 am on Tuesday, he was cleaning the weapon when it went off accidentally. The bullet struck his head, causing his death on the spot. After getting information about the incident, senior police officers had also reached the spot.

Assistant Commissioner of Police, Civil Lines, Guriqbal Singh, said the ASI had died due to accidental firing from the service weapon.

Earlier, the police were suspecting that the victim might have died by suicide but later during the preliminary investigation, they found that accidental fire caused his death. Even the ASI’s colleagues told the police that accidental firing led to the death of the policeman.