Commando killed himself over personal reasons, probe indicates

MUMBAI, Apr 27:
Preliminary investigation into the suicide case of a 25-year-old commando of Maharashtra’s elite counter-terrorism unit ‘Force One’, who had ‘Cheetah of India’ medal to his credit, has indicated that he ended his life due to personal reasons, police said today.
Police constable Nandlal Sonavane, who had been undergoing commando training at the campus for the last two years, ended his life by shooting in his chest with a Glock pistol at about 5 am yesterday, police said.
“Some text messages were found in Sonavane’s mobile phone. The messages indicate that he was going through some personal problems. Because of this, he appeared to have ended his life,” an officer at Vakola police said.
The victim’s mobile phone was sent to forensic analysis department for further examination, the officer said.
In January, Nandlal had won the ‘Cheetah of India’ medal for being the best athlete in a competition of 22 commando units drawn from police and paramilitary forces from all over India at Jodhpur.
Sonavane hailed from Dhule district and was about to get married next month, the police said.
No suicide note was found, police said, adding that the exact reason for his extreme step was yet to be clear.
‘Force One’ was established after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. The specialised anti-terror strike unit was formed on the lines of National Security Guards (NSGs). (PTI)