Accidental pistol firing injures Pune cop

A traffic constable, Vijay Bhusare, sustained minor injuries when a colleague's pistol went off by accident on the premises of the Pune police commissionerate on Tuesday afternoon.

The police said Bhusare, police naik Amol Sarde and traffic constable Abhay Shirke had lunch at the traffic branch office. The incident took place at the office of additional commissioner of police (zone I), when Sarde was showing Bhusare his pistol.

While keeping his pistol in his pouch, Sarde accidentally pressed the trigger, injuring Bhusare in the chest. Bhusare was admitted to Jehangir Hospital, where his condition is stable.

The deputy commissioner of police (traffic), Vishwas Pandhare, said the police recovered a pistol and a bullet from the spot. "A probe is on and action will be taken against Sarde," he added.

The police officials wondered why Sarde had kept a loaded pistol while on the premises of the commissionerate. "Usually policemen unload firearms when there is no need," police officials said.