Depressed ex-IAF man attempts suicide

CHANDIGARH: A retired squadron leader of the Indian Air Force reportedly shot himself with a licensed .32 bore revolver in an attempt to commit suicide at his Sector-43 residence on Tuesday morning.

Dhanna Singh, 65, is admitted in PGI emergency, where his condition is stated critical. Police said the bullet had lodged itself in the upper portion of the victim’s face after passing through the jaws.

Though the exact reason behind the extreme step could not be ascertained, cops said Dhanna Singh had been under depression ever since his son, Raghujeet Singh, had committed suicide around four years ago.

Police sources said Raghujeet had ended his life by jumping in front of a moving train near Ludhiana reportedly due to a matrimonial dispute.

After retiring from Indian Air Force nine years ago, the victim had settled with his family in Chandigarh. His wife, Harbans Kaur, said the 65-year-old had entered the kitchen to apparently prepare his meal on Tuesday morning. However, he reportedly complained of a pain in the stomach and entered his room. ‘Though I heard a shot, I first thought it’s a cracker,’ Kaur said. Upon rushing inside the room, she saw her husband bleeding profusely and immediately called the police.

Kaur runs a creche at her residence. She told the cops that Dhanna Singh had started remaining aloof and they used to interact very little. Kaur expressed her ignorance about the victim owning a revolver with live cartridges.

The SHO of police station-34, Uday Pall, said they had seized the weapon along with one empty shell and five live cartridges from the spot.

The injured Dhanna Singh was rushed to GMCH-32, from where doctors referred him to PGI. Sources said a surgery was required to remove the bullet.

Police have registered a case of attempt to commit suicide against the retired officer at Sector 34 police station.

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