New Delhi: Suicides proved to be the Army`s biggest adversary than enemy`s bullets with around 100 troops losing their lives in acts of self-annihilation against 65 in counter-insurgency and security operations last year.
"Suicides claimed 99 lives in Army last year. Of these, 23 cases were registered in field areas and 76 in peace areas," Army officials told a news agency.
Though the number of lives lost due to suicides was a
cause for concern, the number of such cases had come down in
the past few years, they said.
In 2010 and 2009, the number of deaths due to suicides
was 115 and 110 respectively.
The figure stood at 142 in 2007 and 150 in 2008.
In a few cases, the families of soldiers had alleged
murder after which court of inquiries were conducted, the
officials said.
In 2011, the number of lives lost in security operations
was 65, they said.
"In 2011, 11 officers, 8 JCOs and 46 men achieved
martyrdom in operations to uphold the security of our nation,"
Army Chief Gen VK Singh said recently.
To curb incidents of suicide, the Defence Ministry had
taken several steps ranging from appointment of counselors to
augmentation of psychiatric centres to grant of liberal leave
to jawans to yoga training, the officials said.
PTI
