33-Year-Old Dies in Accidental Shooting

Mandi: Himachal Pradesh has once again been shaken by a tragic incident of accidental gunfire, resulting in the death of a 33-year-old man during a hunting expedition in Mandi district.

This incident adds to a growing list of similar tragedies in the region, raising serious concerns over firearm safety and public awareness.

Latest Incident: Fatal Hunting Accident in Mandi

In a shocking incident on Wednesday evening, Dinesh Kumar, a 33-year-old resident of Aukal village in Rohanda Gram Panchayat, lost his life during a hunting trip.

Accompanied by three other youths, Dinesh had ventured towards the Gansari Khad area after attending a wedding feast in the village.

While the group prepared for the hunt near the Khad, a single-barrel gun placed on the ground accidentally discharged, striking Dinesh in the leg.

The sudden firing caused panic among the group, who immediately carried the injured Dinesh on their backs to the nearest road and rushed him to Rohanda Hospital. Unfortunately, doctors declared him dead upon arrival.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Sakshi Verma confirmed the incident, stating that the police have seized the firearm and are interrogating the other youths present at the scene.

An investigation is underway, focusing on whether safety protocols were violated and if the firearm was legally registered.

A Pattern of Tragedies: Past Accidental Shootings in Himachal Pradesh

This is not an isolated incident. Himachal Pradesh has witnessed several accidental shootings in recent years, many of which resulted in severe injuries or fatalities:

• January 2025 – Seraj Constituency, Mandi District:
In a similar hunting mishap, 32-year-old Chet Ram lost his life when a companion’s firearm accidentally discharged during a late-night return from a hunting trip in Parwada village. Despite the efforts of his friends to get him medical attention, he succumbed to excessive bleeding before reaching the hospital.

• May 2023 – Hamirpur District:
In Chhayodi village, Rajneesh, a local resident, was injured after accidentally being shot by poachers. While riding his bike with his 2-year-old son, Rajneesh unknowingly crossed paths with four youths hunting wild fowl. A stray bullet struck him, causing injuries. Fortunately, the child was unharmed, but the incident highlighted the dangers of unauthorized hunting activities.

• September 2024 – Bilaspur District:
A five-year-old boy was critically injured in Haritalyanagar village when a firearm accidentally discharged at home. The child’s grandfather, Kamal, was present when the weapon fired unintentionally, hitting the young boy. He was rushed to Shimla in critical condition, and the police were alerted by hospital authorities.

A Worrying Trend

These recurring incidents reflect a concerning pattern of firearm negligence and misuse in Himachal Pradesh. Many of these tragedies stem from a lack of awareness about gun safety, unauthorized possession of firearms, and lax enforcement of existing regulations.

The recent case in Mandi echoes past events, where moments of carelessness have led to irreversible loss. The increasing frequency of such accidents calls for immediate attention from both authorities and the public to prevent future tragedies.

As investigations continue into the latest shooting in Mandi, the community grapples with yet another preventable loss, reigniting debates about stricter firearm regulations and the need for heightened public awareness.

Munish Sood (Mandi)