An Indian soldier shot dead his four colleagues and injured three others in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, Anadolu Agency reported on Monday.

The shooter, identified as Constable Reetesh Ranjan, and the victims were from India’s Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), while the incident took place at a camp in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district.

Quoting a statement issued by a CRPF spokesperson in New Delhi, the report said the force identified Ranjan as the killer and stated that he had been arrested.

According to the statement, Ranjan lost his control and opened fire on his colleagues in a fit of rage due to some "emotional stress" as per prima facie evidence.

“The local police have started an investigation into the case and all legal actions will follow. CRPF has ordered an inquiry to ascertain the cause of incident and suggest remedial measures,” read the statement.

The Anadolu Agency's report noted that numerous suicides and incidents of fratricide have been reported in paramilitary camps in India over the past few years, with investigations pointing to high stress levels and tough working conditions as possible reasons.

The report, quoting CRPF records, stated that 101 suicides have been reported within its ranks from 2020 to September this year.

The latest incident happened in January this year, when a paramilitary solider deployed in the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh shot dead a colleague and injured another before trying to take his own life.