Fact Check: Misleading claim viral regarding firing at Bathinda military station

RSFC (Team Mohali) – Few days back, four soldiers were died in the firing that took place around 4:30 am at the military station in Bathinda. After this incident, a post started going viral on social media according to which a Sikh soldier carried out this incident and allegedly killed four Hindu soldiers of 18 Horse Regiment.

Twitter account "Khalsa" shared the viral claim and wrote, "According to the sources in the South Western Command of Indian Army, a Sikh soldier has possibly assassinated four Hindu soldiers of 18 Horse ex 33 Armored Division in Bathinda Military Cantonment. An Army level inquiry has been initiated against Sikh soldiers who have any ties with Amritpal Singh."

"Spokesman in its investigation found that the viral post is misleading. There is no 18 Horse Regiment in the Indian Army. The 18 Horse Regiment is part of the Pakistan Army and there is no confirmation that the person who killed the jawans was a Sikh soldier. "

Spokesman's investigation;

While starting the investigation, we first read the FIR registered in this case. Based on the complaint of Major Ashutosh Shukla of 80 Medium Regiment, the Punjab Police has registered an FIR against two unknown persons. According to the complainant, he reached the spot and saw that two persons were standing dressed in kurta-pyjama and one of the two unidentified persons had an INSAS rifle in his right hand and an axe in the other hand. According to the complainant, both the persons fled towards the forest.

According to police statements released after the incident, it appears to be an "internal" matter and has denied having a "terrorist" angle.

According to the FIR, the four deceased have reportedly been identified. The names of the deceased are Gnr Sagar Banne, Gnr Kamlesh R, Gnr Yogesh Kumar J and Gnr Santosh M Nagral.

Now let us start reading about 18 Horse Regiment. Let us tell you that the 18 Horse Regiment is not a part of the Indian Army but a part of the Pakistani Army. We found a gazette issued by the Government of Pakistan in the year 2020 containing the names of officers selected in the regiment and also a regiment named 18 Horse. The screenshot of the gazette can be seen below.

Now if we talk about the Sikh person according to the claim, then let us tell you that till now no information has been issued by the government or the army. There is no concrete information about this.

We have tried to talk to Major Ashutosh Shukla in the last phase. As soon as we speak to them, this article will be updated on priority basis.

Conclusion- Spokesman in its investigation found that the viral post is misleading. There is no 18 Horse Regiment in the Indian Army. The 18 Horse Regiment is part of the Pakistan Army and there is no confirmation that the person who killed the jawans was a Sikh soldier.