Sandhu, an upcoming officer hailing from Rajasthan, was a cheerful person and had recently come from home after spending his holidays, said BSF authorities. The four constables, who were accompanying him on the night duty, were being questioned. Police sources said about 9:30 pm, Sandhu was on patrol duty when the shot was fired.

The constables said they were a few yards away and rushed to him on hearing the shot. They found him in a pool of blood and his firearm was lying nearby.

They informed the battalion headquarters and he was rushed to the hospital, where he was declared brought dead. Sandhu’s family members said he had happily left home to join duty and even called up to inquire about the crop sown in their fields.

Tarn Taran SSP PK Rai said the case was shrouded in mystery. “We have registered a case under Section 174 of the IPC and Section 302 will be added if the investigations point to a murder,” said Rai. He said their team, headed by Tarn Taran SP (D) Malwinder Singh, was investigating the case and they were getting cooperation from BSF authorities.