A Class 9 student was killed and several others injured in a shocking hostel attack in Ballari, Karnataka, on Saturday night, according to local police and hospital officials. The incident occurred at a residential school hostel operated by Gurukula, where the accused reportedly used an iron rod to attack fellow students and a warden after dinner.

Attack Occurred in Dormitory After Dinner

According to preliminary reports, the incident took place after dinner when most students had gone to sleep. The accused student, whose identity has not been disclosed, allegedly retrieved an iron rod from a bed in the dormitory and began attacking the warden and students nearby.

The attack left one student dead and seven others, including the hostel warden, injured. The victims were immediately rushed to hospitals in Ballari, including the Ballari Institute of Medical Sciences (BIMS) and a nearby trauma care center, where they are currently receiving treatment.

Accused Fled Hostel, Investigation Underway

Following the attack, the accused fled the hostel premises. Police from Brucepete Police Station have registered a case and launched a search operation to locate the student. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, though officials have begun questioning staff and students to determine the sequence of events.

Local police have confirmed that they arrived at the hostel and hospital shortly after receiving reports of the incident. Parents of the deceased student reportedly rushed to the hospital late at night, where they were met with scenes of grief and confusion.

Lakshmikant, the father of the deceased student, accused the hostel management of negligence. ‘We received a call around 11:30 pm and rushed here. Only after reaching the hospital did we learn that our son had been murdered. The management failed to monitor the situation properly,’ he said.

Concerns Over Mental Health and Drug Use

Lakshmikant also suspected that the accused student might have been suffering from mental health issues or could have been under the influence of drugs at the time of the attack. He called for a thorough investigation into the incident and the hostel’s management practices.

Local village panchayat president Ramareddy expressed deep sorrow over the incident and called for a thorough investigation. ‘We have lost a boy from our village. Hostel authorities should have monitored the mental condition and behavior of students closely,’ he said.

Police have stated that further investigation is underway to determine the motive behind the attack. The case has raised concerns about student safety in residential schools and the need for improved mental health monitoring and security protocols.

With no arrests made yet, the search for the accused continues. The incident has sent shockwaves through the district and has prompted calls for stricter oversight of hostel environments.