Kishanganj (Bihar), September 14, 2026 — A 24-year-old Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) constable was found dead with a gunshot wound while on sentry duty at the 19th Battalion camp in Kishanganj district early on Sunday. Police recovered his assigned service rifle near the body.
The deceased has been identified as Chayan Mandal, also reported in some accounts as Chain Mandal, a native of West Bengal. He was posted with A Company of the 19th Battalion at the camp in Gilabari under Thakurganj block, within the jurisdiction of Jiyapokhar police station. Officials said he had been transferred to the location from Kaddubhittha and had resumed duty only two days earlier after returning from leave. He joined the SSB in 2024, completed training, and was posted in Kishanganj in 2025.
According to police, Mandal was on solitary sentry duty from midnight. Around 3 a.m., the next sentry found him unresponsive at the duty post with a bullet injury. A spent cartridge from the INSAS rifle assigned to him was recovered at the scene. The rifle was found near his feet. No suicide note was recovered. His mobile phone was seized for examination. Heavy rain at the time may have muffled the sound of the discharge, delaying discovery.
Jiyapokhar Station House Officer Gautam Kumar said the incident occurred between midnight and 3 a.m. He stated that, prima facie, investigators were examining a possible personal relationship issue, including reports that Mandal had been on a video call shortly beforehand. Kumar added that the exact cause of death and motive had not been established and that phone records, duty logs, and other evidence were under review. Officials also noted that the position of the body was consistent with a self-inflicted injury while seated, though circumstances remained under verification.
Kishanganj Superintendent of Police Santosh Kumar ordered an inquiry. A forensic science laboratory team collected evidence from the scene. A post-mortem examination was conducted at Sadar Hospital, Kishanganj, after which SSB personnel took charge of the body for handover to the family. On Monday, local representatives visited the camp and sought a high-level investigation into the death.
Police said the investigation is continuing.
