Indian defence forces record 83 fratricides in 12 years

India's army, navy and air force have lost a total of 1,362 personnel in suicides and another 83 soldiers to fratricides since the year 2000, Parliament was informed Wednesday.

Of the fratricides reported during this period, 80 fratricide cases were from the 1.13-million-strong Indian Army.

Defence Minister AK Antony told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply to questions from members that the army lost 1,082 personnel to suicides since 2001. The suicide data from army for the year 2000 is not available.

The navy has had no case of fratricide during this period, while it had 27 suicide cases. The Indian Navy is a force of about 60,000 personnel.

The Indian Air Force, with nearly two lakh personnel, has suffered three fratricides, while it has recorded 253 cases of suicide.