Student on rampage in Karnataka school hostel, 1 killed and 7 injured

A Class 9 student allegedly went on a violent rampage inside a school hostel in Karnataka’s Ballari district, attacking fellow students with an iron rod and killing one of them while injuring seven others, police said. The incident occurred late at night at Gurukul International School hostel and the accused student is currently on the run.

According to police, the attack took place after dinner when most of the hostel inmates were asleep. Preliminary findings suggest that the assault followed a minor dispute, after which the accused allegedly used a bed rod to strike multiple classmates.

One student died after sustaining severe injuries in the attack, while seven others were hurt and rushed to the Vijayanagara Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS) hospital in Ballari for treatment. Some of the injured students are reported to be in serious condition.

Police also said the accused allegedly attacked the hostel warden during the incident before fleeing the spot. The school management described the assault as an iron rod attack, though the victim’s family has claimed that the boy may have been stabbed with a knife and questioned the school’s version of events.

The victim’s parents alleged that the accused might be a drug addict and held the school administration responsible for the incident, raising questions about security and supervision inside the hostel. Police have launched a search to trace the accused student and said an investigation into the incident is underway.