Amritsar cop dies after rifle goes off while cleaning, was in park with family

An Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) of Amritsar Police died after his service assault rifle accidentally went off while he was cleaning it, an official said.

The policeman, identified as Joginder Singh, was deployed as a gunman to provide security to a businessman named Sahil Mahajan. The incident took place near the cop's home in Amritsar.

According to the police, Singh was sitting with family members in a park near his residence before reporting for duty when he began cleaning his service rifle.

He failed to notice that a bullet was still lodged in the rifle's chamber, causing it to discharge accidentally, police said. The bullet struck Singh, leaving him critically injured.

He was immediately rushed to a government hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (South) Preet Inder Singh reached the spot along with a team and inspected the scene.

Police were recording statements from family members and initiating further legal proceedings under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).- Ends(Based on inputs from Amit Sharma)