Guwahati, 18 July (HS): A forest guard sustained critical injuries after his service rifle accidentally discharged while he was on duty at Orang National Park in Assam on Saturday morning.

The injured forest personnel has been identified as Bipin Deka. According to reports, the incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday when Deka was getting down from a Forest Department vehicle. During the process, his service rifle reportedly went off accidentally, leaving him seriously injured.

Following the incident, fellow personnel rushed him to a nearby medical facility before he was referred to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) for advanced treatment. Owing to the severity of his injuries, he has been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where his condition is stated to be critical.

The Forest Department has initiated an inquiry to ascertain the circumstances that led to the accidental firing.----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash