Army veterans question IPS officer’s AK-47 firing in viral Dussehra video

IPS Officer Ankita Sharma, 'Lady Singham of Chhattisgarh', has gone viral for firing an AK-47 during Vijayadashami celebrations. The video of the firing has drawn sharp criticism from army veterans, who have questioned the safety and propriety of the act. Major setback for TDP

A viral video showed officer Ankita Sharma, Superintendent of Police of Rajnandgaon in Chhattisgarh, firing an AK-47 during Vijayadashami celebrations. Sharma, a 2018-batch officer popularly described as the state’s “Lady Singham,” was seen performing the traditional Shastra Puja (weapon worship) in a saree before firing rounds from the rifle.

Veteran KJS Dhillon listed what he called a string of lapses in a post on X. He alleged that the loaded weapon was handled dangerously, that basic safety drills taught in training academies were not followed, and that it was pointed in several directions while people in the background appeared visibly frightened. He also questioned the firing of a service weapon for an unauthorised purpose and in non-regulation attire, calling the act a display of authority without responsibility. He said such indiscipline should be appropriately punished to prevent a repeat.

Another veteran, Lt Col Sushil Singh Sheoran, offered a more mixed view. He said the officer appeared to know how to handle a weapon, speculating she may have had NCC training, but described the safety procedures as very poor. He argued that firing into the air wastes ammunition and violates safety standards, and said the organisers should be held accountable. He added that, fortunately, no accident occurred.

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