Instances of suicide in services a matter of great concern: Antony

New Delhi, Aug.11 (ANI): Defence Minister A. K. Antony on Saturday said that the suicide committed by an army soldier in Jammu and Kashmir was a matter of great concern, but added that there has been a slight decrease in number of suicide cases.

Speaking to media on the sidelines of a conference hosted by the Naval Headquarters here, Antony said: "The number of suicides in the armed forces have slightly reduced but I am not happy. Even one suicide of my soldier is a matter of pain to me."

Commenting on the unearthing of a secret tunnel running from across the border into the Jammu region, Antony said that he had detailed discussions about this crucial issue with the Chief of Army Staff General Bikram Singh earlier in the day, and added that appropriate and corrective steps have already been initiated to prevent a recurrence.

Meanwhile, personnel of the Border Security Force (BSF) have got down to the task of digging into the tunnel to ascertain its origin and termination.

That particular tunnel was noticed after an area caved-in at a few places due to heavy rain near the Outpost manned by India's Border Security Force (BSF) at Chillayari.

The restive region has witnessed numerous militant attacks, insurgency, and infiltration attempts from across the border in the last two decades. (ANI)