BSF Jawan Shot Dead in Murshidabad: In a deeply disturbing incident that has sparked outrage and concern across India’s security apparatus, a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan was shot dead by his colleague during duty hours on Saturday night in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district. The accused allegedly fired 13 rounds from his INSAS rifle, killing the senior officer on the spot.
The deceased jawan, Head Constable Ratan Lal Singh Shekhawat, aged 56, reportedly died instantly from multiple bullet wounds. The alleged assailant, Constable Shivam Kumar Mishra, was apprehended soon after and is now in police custody. Initial investigations point to a personal dispute turned deadly, unfolding within a high-security deployment zone.
: BSF Jawan Shot Dead in Murshidabad: Incident Overview
On the night of June 14, 2025, at a BSF camp in Dhuliyan, a heavily patrolled border town in Murshidabad, West Bengal, the peace of a standard routine deployment was shattered by a violent altercation between two BSF personnel of the 119 Battalion.
At around 10:30 PM, during a standard night watch, Constable Shivam Mishra allegedly engaged in a heated argument with his senior, Head Constable Shekhawat. The dispute, reportedly personal in nature, escalated quickly. Without warning, Mishra switched his INSAS rifle to burst-fire mode and unleashed 13 rounds, of which at least five struck Shekhawat in the chest and abdomen.
Other personnel on duty were stunned by the sudden gunfire and rushed to intervene, but the damage was already done.
The Victim: Head Constable Ratan Lal Singh Shekhawat
Hailing from Jaipur, Rajasthan, Shekhawat was a seasoned and respected officer with over three decades of service in the BSF. Aged 56, he had seen deployments across some of India’s most tense borders and counter-insurgency zones.
Personal Details:
- Rank: Head Constable
- Unit: BSF 119 Battalion
- Years of Service: 34
- Family: Survived by his wife, Phool Kanwar, son Surendra Singh, and daughter Sonu Kanwar
He was known among peers for his discipline, calm demeanor, and leadership. His death has sent shockwaves through the paramilitary fraternity.
The Accused: Constable Shivam Kumar Mishra
Shivam Kumar Mishra, reportedly in his early 30s, hails from Chhattisgarh (though some unverified reports point to Rajasthan origins). A relatively new entrant to the force with around four years of service, he was posted at the same BSF camp in Murshidabad under temporary deployment orders amid regional unrest.
Sources suggest that Mishra had previously shown signs of behavioral issues, although there were no formal complaints or recorded disciplinary actions.
It is suspected that alcohol may have played a role in the altercation, a detail yet to be officially confirmed through toxicology reports.
The Shooting: Sequence of Events
- Argument Begins – Around 10:15 PM, witnesses heard raised voices between Mishra and Shekhawat.
- The Gunfire – Mishra allegedly pulled out his rifle, activated burst-fire mode, and fired 13 rounds.
- Immediate Chaos – Jawans nearby rushed to the spot, finding Shekhawat bleeding heavily.
- Emergency Response – He was taken first to Anupnagar Block Primary Health Centre, then referred to Jangipur Super-Speciality Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.
- Fugitive to Custody – Mishra briefly fled but was quickly apprehended by Shamsherganj police with his weapon.
Evidence & Ballistics
- Nine bullet casings were recovered from the site.
- Five to six entry wounds were recorded in the chest and abdomen of Shekhawat.
- The INSAS rifle, used by Mishra, was recovered and is now with forensic teams.
- An autopsy and toxicology test will confirm whether Shekhawat died instantly and if Mishra was under the influence.
Deployment Context: BSF in Communal Hotbed
The camp where the shooting occurred was stationed in a mango orchard in Paharghati, under the Shamsherganj police station, in an area that had been under heavy security deployment due to communal unrest.
The BSF 119 Battalion was operating under orders from the Calcutta High Court, tasked with maintaining law and order in sensitive areas like Dhuliyan, Shamsherganj, and Suti, where post-election tensions and disputes over religious property laws had recently flared.
Legal Action: FIR and Investigation
- An FIR has been filed under appropriate sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for murder and misuse of a government firearm.
- Shamsherganj police have taken over the primary investigation.
- A judicial remand hearing for Mishra is expected within 48 hours.
- BSF has initiated a parallel Court of Inquiry and will review both the incident and any potential negligence in camp supervision.
Analysis: Why Did This Happen?
Possible Motives:
- Personal Insult: Sources say the dispute may have stemmed from derogatory remarks about Mishra’s family.
- Alcohol Influence: Strong suspicion exists that at least one of the jawans was intoxicated.
- Mental Health Factors: Long-term deployment in high-stress zones without adequate psychological support could have contributed.
Public & Local Reaction
Locals in Murshidabad, already wary of the heavy paramilitary presence, expressed shock and concern.
“If they are shooting each other inside the camp, how are we supposed to feel safe?” asked a resident of Dhuliyan.
Social media buzzed with calls for stricter mental health screenings within security forces, especially when deployed in civilian conflict zones.
BSF’s Official Statement
The South Bengal Frontier of the BSF confirmed the incident and stated that they are fully cooperating with the local police.
“This is a tragic incident. We are deeply saddened by the loss of a committed officer. An internal inquiry has been ordered,” a BSF spokesperson said.
Government Silence?
As of now, no central or state government official has issued a statement. This silence has drawn criticism from human rights groups who demand greater accountability for paramilitary conduct during internal deployments.
Patterns & Precedents
This is not the first case of fratricide in Indian security forces. Experts argue that:
- Extended deployments
- Lack of counseling
- Access to loaded weapons under stress
- and insufficient dispute resolution systems
…create the perfect storm for such tragic incidents.
A BSF internal study in 2023 revealed that over 20% of internal violent incidents stemmed from unresolved interpersonal conflict.
Policy Recommendations
To prevent similar tragedies, defense and security analysts have recommended:
- Mandatory conflict resolution training
- Mental health screenings every 3 months
- Alcohol bans and random checks inside camp zones
- Deactivation of burst mode in internal deployment zones
- Dispute redressal cells within battalion HQs
Conclusion: A Tragedy That Should Have Never Happened
The shooting death of Head Constable Ratan Lal Singh Shekhawat at the hands of a fellow jawan reflects a deeper crisis within the ranks of India’s paramilitary forces. Beyond the personal dispute, this is a story of institutional stress, deployment pressure, lack of emotional infrastructure, and the tragic consequences of unchecked aggression.
As Mishra awaits his legal fate, the BSF, police, and defense ministry must take stock of their internal systems to ensure that the guardians of law and order do not themselves become a source of fear and violence.
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