Another soldier, girl commits suicide in Kashmir

Srinagar, Apr 13 (UNI) Introduction of 'Yoga and Art of living' has failed to help security forces engaged in counter insurgency operations to destress, as one more soldier committed suicide in Kashmir valley this morning.

Meanwhile, a girl Yasmeena Akther, who consumed some poisonous substance on April 11 died in the hospital today.

A report from Baramulla said a soldier identified as K Silva shot himself with his service weapon in his camp at Uri in north Kashmir district of Baramulla this morning. Howwever, he died before he could be shifted to hospital.

Official sources said it was not immediately known why the soldier took the extreme step.

This was the fourth such incident in less then three weeks.

A soldier of 52 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) Pardeep Yadav committed suicide on April 11 while a soldier Saurwan Singh of Dogra Regiment committed suicide at the headquarters of 15 Corps here by shooting himself with his service weapon on March 27. Another jawan S S Adey of 122 batallion shot himself dead with his service weapon in Srinagar on March 22.

Suicide by the security forces in the Kashmir valley was on rise despite the introduction of 'Yoga' and 'Art of living' classes.

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

At least 14 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 awarded death by a court martial for killing Lt Colonel Saket Sexana at Harwan camp.

UNI