Pramir Sarkar, a 25-year-old Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel from West Bengal, died early on Saturday after sustaining a gunshot wound from his service INSAS rifle while deployed on security duty at the Rajasthan Atomic Power Station in Rawatbhata, Chittorgarh district.
The incident occurred around 4:20–4:30 a.m. on 22 August 2026. Sarkar was posted outside the reactor building of Units 3 and 4 when colleagues heard a gunshot, rushed to the location, and found him lying on the floor with a bullet wound to the chest. He was immediately taken to the Rajasthan Atomic Power Station Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
Police and CISF officials are investigating the circumstances. Chittorgarh Superintendent of Police Dharmendra Singh stated that the case “prima facie appears to be suicide by his INSAS rifle.” Other officials have noted that both suicide and accidental discharge remain under examination pending further inquiry, including post-mortem findings. The body has been kept in the hospital mortuary, and the family has been informed.
Sequence of Events
Sarkar was on overnight security duty at the high-security nuclear facility. Fellow CISF personnel reported hearing the shot shortly after 4 a.m., locating him with chest injuries (reports mention one to three wounds near the chest area, with at least one described as through-and-through in some accounts). No other personnel were injured, and there was no indication of external involvement based on initial statements. Rawatbhata Station House Officer Sanjeev Swami confirmed that local police inspected the scene and are coordinating with CISF.
Background of the Deceased
Pramir Sarkar belonged to the 2025 recruitment batch of the CISF and had been posted at the Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (RAPP) in Rawatbhata for approximately six months. He was a native of West Bengal. No further personal details, such as family statements or prior service record beyond the recent posting, have been made public by authorities.
Context of the Location and Security Role
The Rajasthan Atomic Power Station at Rawatbhata is a major Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) facility in Chittorgarh district. CISF provides dedicated security cover for critical Department of Atomic Energy installations, including nuclear plants and associated complexes in the area. Personnel are routinely armed with service weapons such as the INSAS rifle while on perimeter and reactor-building duties. The force’s role at such sites emphasises continuous vigilance, access control, and protection against potential threats to national critical infrastructure.
Investigation Status
Authorities have described the matter as under active investigation. Officials have emphasised that the exact sequence—whether intentional or accidental—will be determined after examination of the scene, weapon, witness statements from colleagues, and medical evidence. No motive or precipitating factors have been officially disclosed. Police and CISF are jointly probing the incident.
This remains a developing story. Official updates are expected once preliminary inquiries and the post-mortem report are complete. The loss of a young CISF jawan on duty at a sensitive national installation underscores the high-stakes environment in which personnel of central armed police forces operate while safeguarding critical infrastructure.
