A horrific incident has occurred at a school hostel in Karnataka's Ballari district. A ninth-grade student allegedly attacked his classmates with an iron rod. One student died in the attack and seven others were injured, police said.

Minor dispute suspected behind the attack

According to police sources, the incident took place at the hostel of Gurukul International School in Ballari. Initial investigation revealed that the attack stemmed from a minor dispute. The accused student took an iron rod from a bed and began attacking other students inside the hostel.

One student died from serious injuries sustained in the attack. Seven others were injured. The injured were quickly admitted to Vijayanagar Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS) hospital in Ballari. Several of them are in critical condition, police said.

Initial investigation revealed that the hostel students had gone to sleep after dinner. At that time, the accused student suddenly attacked with the rod. The accused is also alleged to have attacked the hostel warden in addition to assaulting multiple students. He then fled from the hostel.

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School authorities have described this incident as an attack with an iron rod. However, the deceased student's family claims the boy was stabbed with a knife. They have also questioned the school administration's account of the incident.

The deceased student's family has been devastated by this incident. They allege that the accused student may have been under the influence of drugs. They have also questioned the role of the school administration. Police have already begun searching for the accused student. The entire incident is under investigation, police said.