National shooter lost his left thumb while training

On Saturday evening, there was a strange incident at the Karni Singh Range where a national-level shooter unfortunately lost his left thumb. This unfortunate event occurred when the 10m air pistol cylinder he was filling exploded.

Pushpender Kumar, a corporal from the Indian Air Force, was practising at the shooting range for the ongoing National Championships in Bhopal when he experienced a serious injury to his left thumb, necessitating urgent medical attention.

He is currently receiving treatment at the R&R hospital of the Indian Army in this area. According to an anonymous national coach, the incident occurred while Pushpender was refilling the pistol cylinder with compressed air from the main cylinder. Air pistols and air rifles have a slim gas cylinder connected below the barrel. When the shooter pulls the trigger, the compressed gas in the cylinder is released, causing a hammer inside the air gun to strike and propel the lead pellet.

After firing a certain number of shots, the air pistol's cylinder needs to be refilled using either a compressor or a portable cylinder. In the past, carbon dioxide was the go-to gas for refilling, but now compressed air cylinders, resembling smaller LPG cylinders, are the preferred method due to technological advancements.

Pushpender hails from the Baghpat district in Uttar Pradesh. Although he hasn't participated in any international competitions, he is a respected member of the IAF team. Sadly, he lost his mother just under a month ago.

_{(With Input from agencies)}