Niharika Jeena, a technical analyst with a software firm in the City was hit on her left hip by a stray bullet near the Ejipura junction on October 26 when she was riding back home on her two-wheeler.

The police suspect that the bullet may have come from the Iblur range.

As per rule, the Army authorities had intimated the HSR Layout police station, under whose jurisdiction the Iblur range falls, about the firing practice.

“They sent us a letter stating that the practice will be held from 16.00 (4pm) onwards and asked us to send a police official to oversee it. The ASI, HSR Layout police station told them that they may not be able to send any police man this time as they were short staffed. A day before that, there was tension in Islampur area in HAL and police personnel were deployed in the area. Hence, nobody was present from our side nor was a police report submitted after the completion of the firing session,” he said.

“We are in touch with the Army authorities. They have stopped the firing practice for the time being at the Iblur range. They assured us that they would check the records to verify the timing of the firing practice. We may request them to re-locate the range,” Mr Mukherjee added.

“It’s difficult even for the Army to find out which squad was firing at the time of the incident and who was the firer. They should take collective responsibility and enough precautionary measures. The least they can do is to raise the height of the wall surrounding the Iblur range, to avoid any future mishaps,” said Joint Commissioner (Crime) Gopal B Hosur.