SRINAGAR: An Indian soldier died by suicide in the Ganderbal district of Indian Illegally-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

The soldier of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) ended his life by shooting himself with his service rifle in Dignibal area of the district.

This incident raised the number of such deaths amongst Indian troops and police personnel in the occupied territory to 559 since January 2007 till date.

Rising cases and Kashmir conflict

In 2019, Indian Minister of State for Defense Shripad Naik informed the Lower House, Lok Sabha, that there were 95 cases of suicide among army, navy and air force personnel, reported Turkey’s Anadolu Agency.

The most were reported by the army, with 73.

In 2018, there were 107 cases, while in 2017, 103 were reported.

Experts cite the increasing numbers are because of possible institutional deficiencies and workplace ill-treatment leading to stress and trauma which ultimately leads to suicidal deaths.

It is also averred by experts that suicidal tendencies amongst military members were high in combat zones, particularly in Kashmir which is sparked by poor leadership, callous attitude of seniors and the denial of leave for long hauls, even when there was an emergency.