New Delhi: A total of 10 cases of fratricide
have been taken place in the armed forces in the last five
years, including an incident that took place this year, the
government told the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
A maximum four cases of fragging took place in 2008,
while 2010 and 2011 saw two cases each, Defence Minister A K
Antony told the House in a written reply.
"The government has taken several steps to prevent such
incidents including counselling, improvement in quality of
food and clothing, married accommodation, leave concessions,
facilities for movement of troops and establishment of a
grievance redressal mechanism in the states," Antony said.
He listed out stress, depression, domestic, personal and
financial problems and marital discord as possible causes for
the incidents of fragging.
Replying to a question on Army personnel killed in snow
avalanches in Jammu and Kashmir, the Defence Minister said,
"Due to heavy snowfall and consequent snow accumulation posts,
patrols and columns are sometime struck by avalanches in these
areas."
On steps taken to safeguard soldiers from such incidents,
he said detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for
avalanches are promulgated in all formations.
"Comprehensive instructions on movement in these areas
and rescue drills and procedures have been formulated. The
Army has trained troops in addition to specialised equipment
to minimise casualty threat due to avalanche and bad weather,"
Antony said.
He said that measures such as vacation of high-risk areas
in winter according to operational requirement, periodic
resisting of bunkers, dissemination of avalanches warning and
training of personnel have been undertaken.
PTI
