Imphal: Even as the Government grappled with the problem of increasing fratricidal killings in the armed forces, an Armyman, upset at refusal of leave, on Friday killed a Captain and a Junior Commissioned Officer in Manipur before turning his service weapon on himself.
Havildar Avdesh Sharma gunned down Captain S J R Chowdhary and Subedar Ranjeet Meman at 0900 hrs (IST) at Nun Tamkuki when their 19 Assam Rifles formation was being tasked to venture into an anti-terrorist operation.
Sharma, a resident of Bihar who was reportedly upset with his senior officials because he was not granted leave, opened fire without provocation, killing the two army personnel on the spot, according to army sources.
Sharma was admitted in a military hospital where his condition was stated to be critical, sources said.
This is the eighth incident of fratricidal killing in the Army in the last thirty days and has rung the alarm bell in the army establishment.
The Army Cief General J J Singh has asked his top commanders to probe such incidents and frame corrective measures.
"We are concerned over the rising number of such incidents specially in counter-insurgency areas and suitable measures are being institutionalised," Singh said.
Army officials said measures like counselling were being institutionalised in all training institutions, and rest and recuperation centres were being set up to help reduce stress levels among troops.
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