Teacher shot dead inside UP school; suspect dies by suicide

A 26-year-old schoolteacher was allegedly shot dead by a 28-year-old man inside a school in the heart of Lakhimpur Kheri on Monday morning, following which the accused died by suicide, triggering panic among around 350 children on the premises.

The incident took place around 11.30 am at Children Academy near Shahpura Kothi intersection. According to preliminary information, the man, identified as Saud Ansari, a resident of Naurangabad, entered the school and met teacher Nishat Fatima.

The two reportedly spoke for some time before moving to the second floor, near the nursery and senior nursery classrooms. As school staff began gathering in the area, Ansari allegedly pulled out a country-made pistol and shot Fatima. Moments later, he shot himself.

The sound of two gunshots sent the school into panic, with children screaming and running for safety. Examinations were underway at the time, and a large number of young students were present on the campus. Both Fatima and Ansari died at the spot.

Police officials, including District Magistrate Anjani Kumar Singh, Superintendent of Police Dr Khyati Garg and City Circle Officer Vivek Tiwari, reached the school after receiving information about the incident.

The area was secured and forensic teams collected evidence from the scene.

SP Garg confirmed the deaths and said the motive behind the shooting was being investigated. Police are also probing how Ansari entered the school carrying a weapon and the circumstances that led to the shooting.

The incident has raised serious questions over security arrangements at schools catering to young children.