Srinagar: In a first incident of fratricidal killings this year, a soldier committed suicide after killing five of his colleagues and injuring another at an army camp in Ganderbal district of central Kashmir, officials told GNS Thursday.

Sepoy Ranveer of 4 Kumaon posted with 13 Rashtriya Rifles at the Safapora camp in Mansbal went berserk in the wee hoursThursday after a heated argument with his colleagues, who came from different army units. “The heated exchange of words took an ugly turn when the Sepoy opened indiscriminate fire upon his colleagues killing five RR soldiers at the spot and injuring another. The soldier later shot himself dead,” officials said.

The slain soldiers have been identified as Amit Kumar of 12 Kumaon, Lance Naik Tabruq Ansari of 278 Field Regiment, Sepoy Surinder Singh of 2 Kumaon, Rifleman M R Ajinath of 36 Medical Regiment and Rifle Man Rajput Joni of 278 Field Regiment.

Army spokesman Lt Col Nitin Nahar Joshi confirmed to GNS that the incident took place at Safapora Mansbal camp around 3:00 amThursday.