A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Jawan was critically injured after allegedly shooting himself at the Amarnath yatra Transit camp in Panthachowk, Srinagar, on Sunday.
Officials informed that gunshots were heard from inside the camp, prompting police, along with other security personnel, to rush to the incident spot. The preliminary investigation revealed that the head constable of C-62 Battalion, a resident of Basani, district Lakhisarai in Bihar, shot himself, the sources said.
The officials then told the media that the injured personnel were immediately shifted to PCR Kashmir in a critical condition for urgent attention. Cognisance has been taken, and further investigation has started.
The situation, according to experts who study the mental effects of warfare and prolonged deployment of the armed forces to disturbed or conflict-prone zones, is that excessive pressure and mental toll faced by security personnel are often found to have higher rates of suicide.
Jammu and Kashmir is one of the most densely militarised regions in the world, potentially due to its proximity to Pakistan. Experts have also pointed out that prolonged deployment in high-tension areas, challenging work conditions, psychological strain, and continuous exposure to conflict environments are some of the main factors contributing to the higher suicide rates among the armed forces personnel.
According to reports, between 2011 and 2023, a total of 1,532 CAPF personnel have committed suicides in Jammu and Kashmir. Meanwhile, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), witnessed a decline of 40 per cent in the suicide rate, recording 9.87 suicides per one lakh in 2024.
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