Army officer guns down his junior in Jammu

The incident takes place at a New Year party at Kaluchak in the outskirts of Jammu, reports Faisul Yaseen .

A junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) gunned down his fellow soldier in Jammu, the fourth such incident in two months.

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The incident took place late on Sunday at a New Year party at Kaluchak in the outskirts of Jammu. After a verbal duel, JCO Hari Kishen Pandey picked up his rifle and fired at Ominder Singh point blank.

Lt Col SD Goswami, army public relations officer, told the Hindustan Times that an FIR had been registered at the Bari Brahmana police station and a commission of inquiry ordered. Police said they had arrested Pandey and seized his weapon.

According to army figures, at least five killings in the last year have involved soldiers in Kashmir, with most cases attributed to stress. In addition, there are several cases of suicide among soldiers in the region every year.

"A 24-hour helpline and yoga classes, besides a relaxed atmosphere are some of the measures we have taken to help soldiers tackle work stress," Kashmir Valley army chief Lieutenant General A.S. Sekhon had last month.

He said a survey into why soldiers committed suicide had blamed work stress and family disputes.

"The increase in cases of suicide, fratricide and fragging in the forces is cause for serious concern," Antony said, adding that stepshad been initiated to bring down stress levels. He asked the military top brass to conduct studies on the changed profile of the modern soldier and come up with mature man-management tactics. Such a study “is a dire necessity in present circumstances”, the minister said.