Another tragedy has struck the Indian Armed Forces, as a Defence Security Corps Army Officer posted at the Sulur Air Force Station near Coimbatore allegedly took his own life early Sunday morning.
The deceased, identified as Naik S. Sanu, hailed from Kadumthiruthy near Kannadi in Kerala’s Palakkad district. He had served in the armed forces for over 2 decades before being inducted into the DSC, a unit responsible for safeguarding military installations.
According to preliminary police reports, Sanu reportedly shot himself with his service rifle around 6:10 a.m. while on duty at the 13th tower post.
A colleague, startled by the gunshot, rushed to the scene & found him lying in a pool of blood, his rifle beside him. Air Force police & local law enforcement from Sulur reached the site & began an investigation soon after.
The body was sent to the Government Medical College & ESI Hospital in Coimbatore for post mortem examination before being handed over to the family.
Police have registered a case under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita based on the complaint filed by Sanu’s wife, Indulekha.
Indulekha told investigators that her husband had been struggling with mental distress in recent weeks, particularly after the events surrounding Operation Sindoor & incidents in Ladakh.
During a short visit home earlier this month, he sought medical help for depression & was advised counselling & medication. However, he reportedly discontinued treatment after 2 days & returned to duty on 12th October.
“He told me over a video call that he was not feeling well mentally,” Indulekha stated in her complaint. Barely a week later, she received the devastating call informing her of his death.
A senior officer at the base said early findings suggest the death was due to personal mental stress, with no signs of foul play. The Air Force has launched an internal inquiry into the circumstances leading up to the incident.
This is the second reported suicide within the Indian Armed Forces since Operation Sindoor, raising growing concern over the psychological well being of service personnel. #India#ArmedForces
