India, July 19 -- A village defence guard (VDG) allegedly shot dead his sister-in-law in the Chatroo area of Kishtwar district of Jammu region on Friday night, police said on Saturday.

The accused, Sandeep Kumar, was arrested after he allegedly shot dead his brother Rakesh Kumar's wife Pushpa Devi at Arigam in Singhpora of Chatroo, 45km from Kishtwar. The weapon, a 303 rifle, has been seized, the police said.

However, the accused claimed that an accidental fire caused the death of his sister-in-law.

To thwart a terror attack in Chatroo, the administration has issued weapons to village defence guards.

The investigation is underway.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Hindustan Times....