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As Indian Army Gets New Chief, Another Soldier Commits Suicide

By Fayaz Wani

New Delhi, Oct 1: While India's new army chief, General Deepak Kapoor, who took over on Monday, was stating that he proposes to tackle the suicide and fratricide menaces among the army head-on, another Indian army soldier had shot himself dead inside the Army's headquarter at Jammu region in the strife torn state of Kashmir.

An Indian army soldier deployed in the Army's headquarters in Nagrota, Jammu shot himself with his own service weapon inside the camp in the wee hours today. The soldier died on the spot. He was performing duty at the time of the incident in the army headquarters.

The deceased soldier has been identified as Rajesh Kumar and belonged to Indian state of Karanataka. The soldier had returned back on duty on September 27 after availing leave for few months. He had joined the Indian army two and a half years back.

An Indian army spokesman, Col Goswami, while confirming the incident said that a court of inquiry has been launched.

Police also separately launched an investigation in the death of the soldier.

The incident came a few hours ahead of new army chief, General Deepak Kapoor taking over the reins of the Indian army. After taking over as the new army chief, General Kapoor said that he proposes to tackle the suicide and fratricide menace and work on an image makeover.

"These rising cases are a challenge and I propose to tackle them head-on," he told reporters soon after assuming office as the new Chief of Army Staff.

"The army will ensure that such cases of misconduct don't go unpunished", he said.

"I propose to work for an image changeover for my forces," Kapoor said.

Fayaz Wani reports on life in Srinagar, Kashmir.