Three security personnel of the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) were killed after they were fired upon by one of their colleagues at Gurdari picket under Bishunpur police station area of the neighbouring Gumla district in Jharkhand.

Police sources said the jawan identified as Vikas Kumar Tiwari fired upon others while on duty. In the incident ASI Ratan Kumar and Head Constable Shambhu Kumar died on the spot.

Another jawan Chandan Kumar Deo died on his way to a near by hospital, sources said.

Confirming the incident, Jharkhand Police spokesperson said the incident took place late last night.

He said that the jawan after firing on his colleagues ran into a near by forest alongwith arms and ammunition,adding that a search operation has been launched to nab him.