Indian army trooper commits suicide in Indian-controlled Kashmir

An Indian army trooper committed suicide in Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said Thursday. The trooper committed suicide by jumping in front of speedy train in Jammu city, the winter capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"An Indian army trooper identified as Amit Kumar yesterday committed suicide by jumping in front of running train at Tawi railway station," said a police spokesman at police control room in Jammu. "The trooper was knocked down by the speedy train on the track and he died on spot."

Reports said Kumar had returned from home after completing his leave. Earlier this month a junior commissioned officer (JCO) of Indian army committed suicide using his service rifle inside a camp stationed at Khour in Akhnoor sector, 30 km northwest of Jammu city. Indian troops fighting insurgency in Indian-controlled Kashmir are reported to be under tremendous stress and strain. During more than two decades of unrest in the Himalayan region several incidents of suicides and fratricides among the stationed troops were reported. Health experts generally describe suicides and fraternal killings among troopers as "panic reactions." These are attributed to a plethora of reasons, work under hostile conditions, experience of a continuing threat to one's life, lack of recreational options, and homesickness due to long separation from families.

Last year eight Indian troopers committed suicide in the restive region. Indian-controlled Kashmir is considered the highest militarized region. Officially India does not reveal the actual number of its troops deployed in the troubled region. However, rights activists say there are over 700,000 Indian troops and paramilitary troops in the region fighting an anti-India insurgency that broke out in 1989.

A guerrilla war is going on between militants and Indian troops in Indian-controlled Kashmir. The gunfight between the two sides takes place intermittently across the region.

via Global Times

Amit Kumar , Indian Army , Kashmir , Suicides , No comments