Lakhimpur Kheri school shooting: Cryptic post, two pistols among clues in teacher's killing

A cryptic Instagram post, the alleged recovery of two country-made pistols and the previous acquaintance between the two people are among the clues being examined by police following the fatal shooting of a woman teacher inside a school in Uttar Pradesh's Lakhimpur Kheri.

Mohd Saud Ansari allegedly shot dead 26-year-old teacher Nishat Fatima inside Children’s Academy School on Monday before killing himself. Police said Ansari had gone to the school to meet Fatima, and the two were known to each other. Investigators are examining their recent interactions, his movements and CCTV footage to establish what happened before the shooting.

Instagram post made hours before shooting

Hours before the shooting, an Instagram account allegedly linked to Ansari, identified as “onior5911”, carried a message asking people to delete his photographs and messages and report his Facebook account.

The post read: “If I die suddenly, I respectfully request you all please delete my pictures from your phone and social network, clear my messages and report my Facebook account.....”

Police are examining the post as part of the sequence of events leading up to the shooting. However, officials have stressed that a social media message by itself cannot establish the motive.

Other posts attributed to the account are also being scrutinised. One photograph carried the words “feelings died, ego survived”, while another read “use bhool ja use bhool ja”.

Police examine firearms and prior interactions

Police sources said two country-made pistols were allegedly recovered from Ansari’s bag. Investigators are examining why he was carrying two firearms and whether this was connected to his visit to the school.

According to police, Ansari reached the school at around 11.30 am to meet Fatima. The two went towards an upper floor, where they allegedly had a verbal altercation before Ansari opened fire. He subsequently shot himself with the same weapon, police said.

Police and administrative officials have inspected the school and are examining CCTV footage and security arrangements, including how Ansari entered the premises with a firearm. The bodies of both deceased were sent for post-mortem examination.

Police sources said Ansari and Fatima were well acquainted and that their families also knew each other. Recent reports have said investigators are examining a possible relationship between the two, including whether a dispute preceded the shooting, although the authorities have not established a motive.

The cryptic message, alleged recovery of firearms, social media posts and the pair’s recent interactions are therefore being examined as separate pieces of evidence. Police are yet to establish whether they form part of the same sequence that culminated in the shooting or whether some of the clues are unrelated.