CRPF officer commits suicide in Kashmir

Srinagar, Aug 28 (IANS) An officer of the paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) committed suicide at his official residence in north Kashmir Sunday, police said.

A senior police officer said Assistant Commandant Rajiv Chauhan of 45 Battalion shot himself with his service weapon inside his official residence in Sumbal area.

‘He was immediately rushed to hospital where he succumbed,’ the officer said.

There have been many instances of suicides and fratricidal shootouts among the army and paramilitary soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir since 1989 when militancy erupted in the state.

Long duty hours, separation from families, hostile environment and lack of recreational facilities are often cited as the reasons for such incidents and killings.