08 July,2010 08:28 AM IST | | J Dey
That's what gun experts are wondering after Rear Admiral shot himself while trying to unlock his jammed pistol
In a freak accident, Rear Admiral SS Jamwal, chief of staff of the Kochi-based Southern Naval Command, died in a small arms firing range at INS Dronacharya yesterday.
The incident occurred at 10.30 am when the senior officer's 9 mm service pistol jammed during firing.
The official version claims that a bullet from Jamwal's pistol hit him during training in the gunnery school.
A navy official said when the pistol didn't fire; Jamwal turned the pistol towards his body, while trying to unlock the weapon.
At that moment, the pistol misfired, and the bullet hit him on his forehead.
He was rushed to a hospital where he was declared dead.
Gun experts from the navy are shocked when they were told that a highly experienced officer like Jamwal made the mistake of handling a loaded gun and breached security measures.
His death also raises eyebrows about safety measures while handling weapons.
Naval spokesperson M Nambiar refused to comment on the matter.
