Stray bullet from Air Force Station behind bullet injury to Ambala jail inmate

Fired from an AK-47 rifle, the bullet had travelled for nearly 2.5 kilometres before it hit the undertrial, Reeta, in her leg, the SP stated.

A stray bullet from the firing range of Air Force Station in Cantonment was behind the gunshot injury to a woman inmate inside Ambala central jail three months ago, superintendent of police Jashandeep Singh Randhawa revealed on Wednesday.

Ambala central jail, where a woman inmate suffered bullet injuries, on January 18. (HT File)

Fired from an AK-47 rifle, the bullet had travelled for nearly 2.5 kilometres before it hit the undertrial, Reeta, in her leg, the SP stated.

The incident had taken place on January 18.

In view of the seriousness of the case, home minister Anil Vij, jail minister Ranjeet Chautala, director general of prisons Muhammad Akil, range IG Shivas Kaviraj and ballistic experts from Madhuban had inspected the jail to recreate the crime scene.

Though initially there was suspicion that the shots may have been fired from inside the jail premises, jail superintendent Sanjeev Pattar had categorically denied it.

An SIT under DSP, headquarters, Ramesh Kumar was constituted by the SP comprising CIA-1, cyber cell and police station concerned.

Randhawa said it was important to determine the caliber of the bullet, weapon used, type of weapon (country made or other), distance of fire, direction of fire, speed and other information.

To avoid such incidents in future, the SP said, he will write to the authorities in the army and Air Force to get their firing range checked and strengthen the retaining walls.

“Home minister Anil Vij has also ordered a defence audit of all the firing ranges in the state. As there are a few ranges belonging to the defence forces, he is likely to take it up with the defence minister too,” said Randhawa.