Suicides claiming more army men than enemy bullets

Suicides proved to be Indian Army's biggest adversary than enemy's bullets last year with around 100 troops losing their lives in acts of self-annihilation against 65 in counter-insurgency and security operations.

"Suicides claimed 99 lives in the army last year. Of these, 23 cases were registered in field areas and 76 in peace areas," Army officials told PTI.

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 V K 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.