JJ admits pressure on soldiers; 100 suicide cases every year

Srinagar, Nov 3 (UNI) Admitting that there was certain amount of pressure and stress on the soldiers engaged in counter-insurgency operations in the country, Army Chief General J J Singh today said about 100 suicide cases have been taking place on an average every year in the armed forces during the past 4-5 years.

Addressing a news conference here, he said the Army personnel were trained to cope up with the operational challenges and stress.

''Operational challenges and stress are not the only causes.

Certain amount of pressure is there, but that does not absolve a good leadership from overcoming such challenges,'' he added.

''On an average, we have been having about 100 suicide cases in a year during the past 4-5 years. This year, the figure has been about the same,'' Gen Singh said.

UNI AG PK HT1545