BSF jawan kills two colleagues in Malda camp shooting, arrested
Synopsis
A BSF jawan with a prior record of firing at colleagues allegedly shot dead two fellow soldiers at the Baishnabnagar camp in Malda — just days after completing a punishment for an almost identical earlier offence. The accused was being prepared for release home when the shooting took place, raising serious questions about the BSF's post-disciplinary protocols.
Key Takeaways
BSF jawan Shivam Mishra allegedly opened fire at the Baishnabnagar BSF camp, Malda , on 23 July , killing two colleagues and injuring one.
The deceased are Ajay Kumar Singh, 51 (Bihar) and Ambadar Suresh Dargu, 37 (Maharashtra), both of the 71st Battalion .
Injured jawan Vikas Brahm, 44 , is receiving treatment at Malda Medical College and Hospital .
Mishra had been punished under BSF law for a similar firing incident roughly one year ago ; his sentence had expired just days before this attack.
Both Baishnabnagar Police and BSF Malda Sector DIG Surendra Kumar Jha have initiated separate inquiries.
A Border Security Force (BSF) jawan allegedly opened fire on his fellow soldiers at the BSF camp in Baishnabnagar, Malda district, West Bengal, on Thursday, 23 July, killing two and seriously injuring a third. The accused, identified as Shivam Mishra, a native of Chhattisgarh, was arrested shortly after the incident.
What Happened
According to BSF sources, Mishra entered the compound housing the headquarters of the 119th and 71st Battalions in Bidhannagar, Malda, on Thursday afternoon and opened fire indiscriminately on his colleagues. All three victims belong to the 71st Battalion.
The two deceased have been identified as Ajay Kumar Singh, 51, from the Manjhi area of Chhapra district, Bihar, and Ambadar Suresh Dargu, 37, from Gadchiroli, Maharashtra. The injured jawan, Vikas Brahm, 44, from Mohanda village under Polba Police Station in Hooghly district, West Bengal, has been admitted to Malda Medical College and Hospital, where he is undergoing treatment.
Accused Had a Prior Disciplinary Record
BSF sources indicate that Mishra had previously been accused of firing at colleagues approximately one year ago and was subsequently punished under BSF law. That punishment had expired just days before the latest incident. Reports suggest that arrangements were being made to send him home following the completion of his sentence when the shooting occurred, triggering a wave of shock across the Baishnabnagar area.
Investigation Underway
Officers of Baishnabnagar Police Station have launched a formal investigation. District Superintendent of Police Anupam Singh confirmed the matter is under active inquiry. Separately, BSF Malda Sector DIG Surendra Kumar Jha stated that an internal inquiry has also been initiated by the force.
What Comes Next
Authorities have not yet disclosed the precise sequence of events or the motive behind the attack. The dual investigation — by the district police and the BSF internally — is expected to examine Mishra's conduct in the days leading up to the shooting, including the circumstances surrounding his imminent release from punishment. The incident raises pointed questions about post-disciplinary monitoring of personnel with a history of violence within the force.
Point of View
And was reportedly days away from being sent home when he struck again. That the BSF's disciplinary process ended without any sustained risk-monitoring mechanism points to a structural gap in how the force handles personnel with a documented history of intra-unit violence. This is not an isolated aberration — it is a process failure, and the dual inquiry must answer why a jawan flagged for prior violence was handled as a routine administrative case rather than a security risk.
NationPress
24 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the BSF camp in Malda on 23 July?
BSF jawan Shivam Mishra allegedly opened fire on his colleagues at the Baishnabnagar BSF camp in Malda district, West Bengal, on 23 July, killing two soldiers and seriously injuring a third. Mishra was arrested shortly after the incident.
Who are the victims of the Malda BSF shooting?
The two deceased are Ajay Kumar Singh, 51, from Chhapra district in Bihar, and Ambadar Suresh Dargu, 37, from Gadchiroli in Maharashtra. The injured jawan, Vikas Brahm, 44, from Hooghly district, West Bengal, is being treated at Malda Medical College and Hospital. All three belonged to the 71st Battalion of the BSF.
Did the accused have a prior record of violence?
Yes. According to BSF sources, Shivam Mishra had been accused of firing at colleagues approximately one year before this incident and was punished under BSF law. His punishment had expired just days before the 23 July shooting.
Who is investigating the Baishnabnagar BSF camp shooting?
Baishnabnagar Police Station officers have launched a formal investigation, with District SP Anupam Singh confirming the inquiry. BSF Malda Sector DIG Surendra Kumar Jha has also confirmed a separate internal BSF inquiry is underway.
What is the BSF's 71st Battalion and where is it based?
The 71st Battalion of the Border Security Force is headquartered at Bidhannagar in Malda district, West Bengal, alongside the 119th Battalion. The camp was the site of Thursday's shooting.
