New Delhi, Oct 7 : The Indian Armed Forces continue to loss more manpower to suicides and fratricide shootings in peace than in combat missions involving counter insurgency operations, Indian defence authorities said. According to reports received here, Indian Defence Minister, A K Antony disclosed latest figures during the Parliament session, saying that around 780 soldiers have committed suicide since 2005 and the suicide graph in the forces which dipped a little in 2009 has resumed its upward spiral in recent years.
In 2007 the suicide figures stood at 142, climbing to 150 in 2008, however, dipped to 111 in 2009 before touching the 130 mark last year.
Till July 2011 the suicide figures reached 70 and if this trend continues, it would touch 130-140 figure by year end.
According to Indian commanders, the long period of absence from home and family, caused by long tenures on counter insurgency operations in Kashmir and the Indian North Eastern Region has sapped state of morale in the Indian Army.
The suicide incidents remained rampant despite introduction of psychological counselors among Indian Army units, introduction of yoga exercises as stress relievers and augmentation of psychiatric care and advisory resources within the military hospitals in Indian Held kashmir and the North East.
The trend also casts a poor light on the functioning of chain of command in Indian units.
“Incidence of high suicide rates reflect poorly upon discipline, man management and standard of leadership - both at junior and senior tiers-obtaining in the Indian Army”, says analysts.