Kolkata Police commando found dead at PTS barracks, suicide suspected
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
The body of Kolkata Police commando Deepak Tamang, 49, was recovered from the toilet of the Police Training School (PTS) barracks in Kolkata on Saturday, 19 September 2026, in what officers suspect is a case of suicide by hanging. The discovery has sent shockwaves through the force, with colleagues describing the officer as well-regarded during his years of service.
How the Body Was Discovered
At around 9:50 am on Saturday, PTS received a report of a possible suicide by hanging inside the commando barracks. Police personnel who rushed to the spot found the toilet on the fourth floor of the barracks locked from inside. After breaking down the door, they found Tamang hanging, having reportedly tied a towel to a toilet pipeline.
Colleagues immediately brought the body down and transferred it to SSKM Hospital, where doctors formally declared him dead. The body has since been sent for an autopsy to ascertain the exact cause of death.
What Investigators Have Found So Far
According to investigators, physical signs observed at the scene — including a noose mark on the neck and saliva flowing from the mouth — are consistent with death by hanging. Officers are treating it as a suspected suicide, though the investigation remains ongoing.
No First Information Report (FIR) has been filed as yet; police have initiated proceedings on their own initiative, as is standard in such cases pending autopsy results. Tamang was a resident of Kalimpong in north Bengal, and his family has been informed of his death.
Who Was Deepak Tamang
Deepak Tamang had served as a commando with Kolkata Police for several years and was reportedly held in high regard within the force. Colleagues expressed profound shock at his sudden death. A senior Kolkata Police officer confirmed the family had been notified and said the matter is under active investigation.
'The family of the commando has been informed. The matter is under investigation,' the officer said.
What Happens Next
Authorities are awaiting the autopsy report, which will be critical in formally establishing the cause of death. Depending on its findings, investigators will determine whether to register a formal case. The incident has prompted questions within law enforcement circles about the welfare and mental health support available to police personnel — a concern that has surfaced in similar cases across Indian forces in recent years.