CISF Jawan Pramir Sarkar Dies From Service Rifle Gunshot on Duty at Rajasthan Nuclear Plant
A 25-year-old Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) jawan from West Bengal died early on Saturday after suffering a gunshot wound from his service INSAS rifle while on duty at the Rajasthan Atomic Power Station in Rawatbhata, in Chittorgarh district of Rajasthan.
The deceased has been identified as Pramir Sarkar, who was posted outside the reactor building of Units 3 and 4 at the nuclear facility. According to the initial account, the incident took place between 4:20 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. on 22 August 2026, when fellow personnel heard a gunshot and rushed to the spot. They found Sarkar lying on the floor with a bullet injury to his chest.
He was taken immediately to the Rajasthan Atomic Power Station Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
Police and CISF officials are now examining the circumstances behind the death. Chittorgarh Superintendent of Police Dharmendra Singh said the case “prima facie appears to be suicide by his INSAS rifle.” At the same time, other officials have said that both suicide and accidental discharge are being considered until the inquiry is completed, including the post-mortem examination.
The body has been kept in the hospital mortuary and Sarkar’s family has been informed.
What happened at the plant
Sarkar was on overnight security duty at the high-security nuclear installation when the incident occurred. Fellow CISF personnel reported hearing the shot shortly after 4 a.m. and locating him with injuries to the chest. Reports differ slightly on the extent of the wounds, with some accounts mentioning one to three injuries in the chest region and at least one described as through-and-through.
There was no indication in the initial statements of any external involvement, and no other personnel were injured. Rawatbhata Station House Officer Sanjeev Swami confirmed that local police inspected the scene and are coordinating with CISF as part of the investigation.
Who Pramir Sarkar was
Officials said Sarkar belonged to the CISF’s 2025 recruitment batch and had been posted at the Rajasthan Atomic Power Project in Rawatbhata for about six months. He was originally from West Bengal. Authorities have not released any further personal details, and no statement from the family has been made public so far.
Security role at a critical nuclear site
The Rajasthan Atomic Power Station at Rawatbhata is a major Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) facility in Chittorgarh district. Sites of this kind are protected by CISF personnel, who are tasked with safeguarding Department of Atomic Energy installations and related complexes.
Personnel deployed in such locations are routinely armed with service weapons, including the INSAS rifle, while carrying out perimeter and reactor-building duties. Their responsibilities centre on access control, continuous vigilance and protection of critical national infrastructure.
Probe continues
Authorities have described the matter as under active investigation. Officials said the exact sequence of events — whether intentional or accidental — will be determined after the scene is examined, statements from colleagues are recorded and medical evidence is reviewed.
No motive or other triggering factor has been officially disclosed. Police and CISF are jointly probing the incident, and further updates are expected after the preliminary inquiry and post-mortem report are completed.
