If not wars, then what's killing Indian soldiers?
What's the story
India hasn't fought any major wars since the 1999 Kargil war with Pakistan.
Despite this, at least 1,600 troops reportedly die every year from other causes such as accidents, ailments and suicides.
Strangely enough, these numbers exceed the casualties caused in counter-insurgency operations or frequent firing duels across the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu & Kashmir.
What's killing our soldiers? Read on.
Background
India's war time casualties
India has lost at least 8,733 troops in four wars with Pakistan: 1947-48 war (1,104), 1965 (3,264), Bangladesh liberation war, 1971 (3,843) and Kargil Conflict, 1999 (522).
The 1962 Sino-Indian conflict claimed 3,250 lives, while 1,157 troops died during India's 1987 intervention in the Sri Lankan Civil War.
In Siachen alone, at least 130 troops died with two-thirds of them dying from extreme weather.
Causes
But, what's killing soldiers, when India is not at war?
Figures collated by the Times of India reveal that at least 350 army troops/airmen/sailors die from road accidents.
At least 120 troops have committed suicide. This could be due to stress caused from the alarmingly strict and disciplined training environs.
Training accidents and other health issues also claim a large number of lives. This raises concerns on the troops' overall physical and mental fitness.
Data
Number of deaths: Army exceeds Air Force and the Navy
The Army, Navy and IAF have collectively lost 6,500 personnel since 2014. However, the army which has the highest number of personnel among the three, at 11.73 lakh, exceeds the other two in the number deaths as well.
Physical casualties
Physical casualties: An unexpected, yet major killer
Interestingly, deaths caused by physical casualties is more than 12 times the deaths caused by battle casualties.
While the army recorded 112 battle casualties in instances such as border skirmishes and counter-insurgency ops in 2016, 1,480 soldiers died from physical casualties during the same period.
Army chief Gen. Bipin Rawat recently expressed concerns on this and stressed the need to urgently remedy the situation.
Do you know?
How is the army addressing deaths from road accidents?
It has issued a series of directives to avert road accidents. These range from proper screening and monitoring of drivers to meting out strict punishment for negligent driving. According to sources, the army is also discouraging night-driving, unless operationally required.
Suicides
Suicides: Why are the troops so stressed out?
Between 2014-2016, about 330 soldiers have committed suicide with at least 12 instances of fratricide (killing of one's own forces).
This could be because of stress among troops caused by a variety of factors.
While prolonged deployment in counter-insurgency operations can affect their endurance, they could also be facing problems back home.
The situation is made worse by meagre salaries and denial of leave.
Information
Steps taken to relieve troops' mental stress
In order to reduce stress-related suicides, the authorities are reportedly implementing measures, including providing mental counseling, improving living and working conditions, liberal leave policy and provision for family accommodation.