Soldier commits suicide in Kashmir

Srinagar, Mar 27 (UNI) Introduction of Yoga and Art of Living classes have so far failed to help security force personnel, engaged in counter insurgency operations, relieve stress as yet another soldier committed suicide here today.

This is the second incident in less than a week in which a security force jawan took the extreme step.

A police spokesman said a soldier, Saurwan Singh of Dogra Regiment committed suicide in his post at the headquarters of 15 Corps here by shooting himself with his service weapon early this morning.

Singh died before he could be shifted to hospital, he said, adding the police have initiated proceedings under section 174 Cr Pc.

A jawan, S S Adey, of 122 battalion shot himself dead with his service weapon in Srinagar on March 22.

Suicides by security personnel in the Kashmir valley are on the rise despite the introduction of Yoga and Art of living classes.

More than 20 security personnel have died during the past six months in similar incidents in the Kashmir valley.

At least 12 security personnel, including some officers, were also killed by their colleagues in the Valley during the same period. On March 20, an army jawan shot dead his colleague in an army camp in north Kashmir.

A soldier was recently handed down the death penalty following court martial for killing Lt Colonel Saket Sexana at Harwan camp.

According to a survey, mental stress and family disputes were the main reasons which compel security force personnel to take such extreme steps.

UNI