Depressed techie injures 24 in stabbing spree, shot dead

Hyderabad: A techie, who was depressed after failing to clear the civil services exams, went on a stabbing spree on Tuesday injuring 24 people, before police shot him down.

The incident took place in Karimnagar town of Telangana.

According to police, 25-year-old Balvinder Singh attacked his parents with a sword following an argument at home.

Singh, who works for a software firm in Bengaluru, then stepped out to attack passers-by, leading to public panic. Some pedestrians, two bikers and an autorickshaw driver were injured.

Police, who swung into action after learning about the incident, were also attacked. A constable who tried to snatch the sword from the man sustained injuries.

As the situation slipped out of control, circle inspector Vijay Sarathi opened fire to disarm the man. A critically injured Singh was taken to a hospital, where he died.

Singh’s parents and others who received grievous injuries were under treatment.

According to family members, Singh was a meritorious student since school. He stood sixth in the engineering, agriculture and medical common entrance test (EAMCET) in the district.

After engineering in electronics, he got a job in Bengaluru and was earning Rs1.8 million (Dh99,755) a year.

Singh wanted to pass the civil services exam. However, he failed to qualify and as a result got depressed.