A somber mood enveloped the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Mingachal camp in Bijapur district as Constable Pappu Yadav, 32, allegedly took his own life with his service rifle early Wednesday morning. The incident, reported under Naimed police station limits, has left the 22nd battalion grappling with grief and questions.

Yadav, hailing from Thakuri village in Bihar’s Bhojpur district, had rejoined duty on Tuesday after a brief leave. Sources indicate he was found by fellow personnel shortly after the gunshot echoed through the camp at around 4:30 AM. Despite efforts to rush him to medical aid, he was declared dead at the scene.

Police are investigating the circumstances leading to Yadav’s drastic action, with preliminary inquiries suggesting personal or work-related stress as possible factors. The CRPF has deployed a special team to probe deeper, including interviews with colleagues and family. Yadav’s body will be sent to his native village post-autopsy, officials confirmed.

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This tragedy adds to a concerning trend. In Chhattisgarh’s recent monsoon assembly session, the state government revealed that 177 security personnel, including 26 CRPF members, died by suicide between 2019 and June 2025. The CRPF, heavily engaged in anti-Naxal operations in south Chhattisgarh, faces immense pressure, raising calls for better mental health support for personnel.

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