Army jawan shoots himself in Jammu

An Army jawan today allegedly committed suicide by shooting himself with a service rifle in Birpur area of Jammu District.

Jammu, Sep 16 : An Army jawan today allegedly committed suicide by shooting himself with a service rifle in Birpur area of Jammu District.

Vijay Kahar fired at himself in 4th Signal unit of Jammu.

According to sources, after hearing the gunshots, when jawans and officers reached to the barrack, they found the Kahar in a pool of blood.

Kahar was rushed to military hospital where he was declared brought dead, the sources added.

They further said that the deceased was having a family dispute and he had returned on September 8 from a month-long leave.

Kahar belongs to Itarsi, Madhya Pradesh.

A court of inquiry has been ordered.

On August 22, Defence Minister A K Antony said that the number of suicide cases in the army was "not significantly higher if compared with the national average and also with the Armies of some other countries."

According to army sources, the suicide seemed to be for "personal reasons."

The reasons have been attributed to "prolonged duties in disturbed conditions that causes distress, denial of leave or small fights." The main reason in many recent cases has been family problems.

ANI