34 Indian Soldiers Committed Suicide in Kashmir in 2008

[Captain03]

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http://www.sananews.com.pk/english/2...shmir-in-2008/
SRINAGAR (SANA): At least 34 Indian army men committed suicide in restive Kashmir last year, an Indian army spokesman said.

Indian army’s spokesman, Col D K Kachari said that 34 cases of suicide and a single case of fratricide killing has taken place in 2008 in Kashmir. He said that there has been a slight decline in such incidents. “In 2005, 44 cases of suicide and 10 cases of fratricide were reported in the army,” he said.

He said that the concrete steps have been initiated to identify the causes. “The major causes of these deaths are on account of martial discord, domestic reasons, medical problems, failed love affairs and organizational reasons,” he said.

He said that the army has taken several measures including training of counselors to check the suicide among its men and officers. “A total of 1,200 individuals have been trained and deployed to counsel the soldiers,” he said.

Claiming that the suicide incidents among the men in uniform are witnessing a downward trend, he said a constant effort is being made towards creating a healthy and happy working environment and development of camaraderie.

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LIES!
the guilt of killing innocent people finally takes over a person
no matter who u are

[Bezerk]

LIES!
the guilt of killing innocent people finally takes over a person
no matter who u are

You're ABSOLUTELY right there. Though I'm sure not all of them could've been related to that syndrome, but it's a reality that Military suicides often revolve around "Pulling the trigger" on someone that doesn't deserve to Die.

Thanks for posting this. This is definitely an issue that should get some spot light.

[Bezerk]

*bump*

This thread could use some attention.

[Vinod2070]

Fighting internal insurgencies is always tough and takes a toll.

You can see it in Pakistan itself now. 200 troops surrendering to 20 odd poorly armed teenagers, being beheaded on video by young boys, the "commandos" refusing to fight in Swat are just a small list of incidents I can think of immediately.

[kenchabhai]

128 American soldiers committed suicide in 2008. During Vietnam war many US soldiers committed fratricide and suicide.

Vinod, the duration of the insurgency, the terrain, climate, attitude of govt and the role of senior officers also plays a part here.

[Bezerk]

Fighting internal insurgencies is always tough and takes a toll.

You can see it in Pakistan itself now. 200 troops surrendering to 20 odd poorly armed teenagers, being beheaded on video by young boys, the "commandos" refusing to fight in Swat are just a small list of incidents I can think of immediately.

Did you even bother reading the article?

The only problem with your story is that there weren't any "Suicides" by our military personal. And as far as surrendering is concerned, that was during the initial days of heavy counter-insurgency. They weren't trained to fight an enemy like that. Religion played a massive role in those events. Now that it's been sorted out, you don't see any "Surrendering" no more. And getting outnumbered and ambushed doesn't count as the kind of "Surrendering" you were referring to.

[paritosh]

kashmir is the proving-ground for the young blood in the army.The mental pressure on the new recruits is too much....their stint in kashmir hardens them...or at least is intended to do so.
My brother...who happens to be a major in the IA tells me..."kashmir is like a battle ground where you learn to kill and survive....most soldiers shape into the hardened indian army soldiers we are proud of...others are called DLPs or dheele l**d ki pedaish."
whatever doesnt kill you makes you stronger....the saying goes.

[Flintlock]

Indeed, I have had the pleasure of speaking to IA officers about Kashmir. there, every single day is a battle for survival. Things have improved significantly since the Kargil conflict, but during the late 80s and early 90s it used to be hell on earth. Militants used to open fire from anywhere - rooftops, shops, open drains - at patrolling soldiers, and it used to be considered lucky if you remained intact at the end of the day.

Jehadis used to appear out of nowhere in the middle of a busy street, hurl a couple of grenades at the crowd, fire a few rounds "andhadhun" as you call it, and disappear in the commotion. This would anger the locals, who used to take it out on the patrolling soldiers rather than on the militants, and often the local officers used to lose their head and commit atrocities themselves in retaliation.

Needless to say, that decade taught the IA a lot of valuable lessons about fighting an insurgency, which is why our COIN schools are among the most reputed in the world.

[Vinod2070]

Did you even bother reading the article?

The only problem with your story is that there weren't any "Suicides" by our military personal. And as far as surrendering is concerned, that was during the initial days of heavy counter-insurgency. They weren't trained to fight an enemy like that. Religion played a massive role in those events. Now that it's been sorted out, you don't see any "Surrendering" no more. And getting outnumbered and ambushed doesn't count as the kind of "Surrendering" you were referring to.

200 troops getting outnumbered by 20 ill-armed teenagers!

[Bezerk]

200 troops getting outnumbered by 20 ill-armed teenagers!

In military warfare, A sniper is always taught that you can hold out a convoy of 100 Infantry men and their vehicles single handedly, if you're in the right position with the right sight.

Now if you would've "Ever" studied the art of warfare, you'd know how easy it is to surround and capture a convoy of 200 men by trained and professional guerilla fighters.

Why else do you think that in the last 50 years only, "The Great Soviet Empire" failed in Afghanistan against the Guerilla's? If your memory isn't that good, take the example of American and Nato forces who're currently failing by the minute in Afghanistan. Give yourself a break and stick to the topic next time. Which was "Indian Army personal and their suicide rampage in Kashmir".

[Vinod2070]

I wanted to provide a perspective.

Carry on now with your merry making.

[Bezerk]

I wanted to provide a perspective.

Carry on now with your merry making.

Off-topic:

Your perspective was simply a juvenile attempt to derail the thread from the original issue which still is about the "Indian Army soldiers and their Suicides".

I hope you went through my previous post which answers your "Flawed" perspective.

And it's "Merrymaking"

[metalfalcon]

It happens if you Push the Soldiers beyond their Limits and few days back i saw a thread on that even USMC Soldiers were committing Suicides if someone as tough as a MARINE can do this what can you expect from IA They are Humans as well.

[Vinod2070]

It happens if you Push the Soldiers beyond their Limits and few days back i saw a thread on that even USMC Soldiers were committing Suicides if someone as tough as a MARINE can do this what can you expect from IA They are Humans as well.

That is quite correct.

Just because PA does not bring in public domain it's problems doesn't mean the problems don't exist. That is an ostrich like attitude.

There are indications all around that PA has it's own problems in dealing with insurgencies. That is if one wants to bring out the head from the sand and dare to look around!

[PureLogic]

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Well, I guess there is large number of personnel in Kashmir. I don't know the exact figure, but it can easily be 25,000 or so. Now, if we take any group of this size, having 34 suicides in it is normal, though unfortunate. This percentage of personnel having serious personal problems is easily acceptable. No doubt, this number should be decreased, if there is any slightest of possibility.

But associating this with so called foolish things like "guilt of killing innocents"..... well, what more we can expect from you?