A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, or so goes the adage. It is thus vital to ensure that the ‘links’ — personnel — that make up the valiant chain that is the army remain robust, physically and mentally. Unfortunately, it seems that the mental health of security men — they have one of the most stressful jobs — is being neglected if the alarmingly frequent reports of fratricide — the killing of a fellow soldier by a serviceman — and suicides in the armed forces are anything to go by. The recent killing of four jawans by their colleague at Bathinda military station is only the latest in a long line of incidents of self-inflicted violence within the armed forces. Now, a report prepared by the Union home ministry has informed Parliament that 29 cases of fratricide took place in the paramilitary forces between 2018 and 2022. Eighteen such incidents had been recorded in the army between 2014 and March 2021. The causal factors are revealing — bullying and harassment are two principal contributing elements even though the junior home minister, Nityanand Rai, stated that "personal and domestic problems" led to such incidents. It is worrying that the aspect of harassment remains unaddressed. It points to the existence of embedded power hierarchies that can have a deleterious effect on fraternity and solidarity that are crucial to the efficacy of and the discipline within the armed forces. The other issue that must be revisited is the aspect of leave. Armed personnel, who dedicate their lives to the service of the nation, often have to go without leave for long periods, adding to their stress. This brings to light a related issue: there must be greater numbers of counsellors and therapists made available for soldiers. The latter must also be encouraged to seek therapy as prevailing institutional and cultural notions of masculinity and aggression can discourage servicemen from approaching therapists.

The minister of state for defence, Ajay Bhatt, has claimed in the Lok Sabha that the government has taken numerous steps towards "stress amelioration" among soldiers, including encouraging a buddy system and providing recreational facilities. The data on fratricide reveal that much more needs to be done. There is also the case for the military top brass to be more transparent about fratricide and suicide. The assurance of care and accountability could work wonders for armed personnel battling demons within.