Woman Agniveer Dies By Suicide At INS Hamla In Mumbai, Indian Navy Orders Probe

A woman who was under training in the Indian Navy for Agniveer allegedly died by suicide in Mumbai by hanging herself, officials said. The 20-year-old woman was training at INS Hamla in Mumbai's Malad area at the time of the incident. Malvani police on Tuesday registered an Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in Agniveer trainee's suicide case and further investigation is underway.

The deceased Agniveer in training has been identified as Aparna Nair, the Mumbai Police said. "The incident took place while Aparna was undergoing training on the Indian Navy Ship (INS) Attack," an officer informed. 

Shortly after receiving the information, Navy doctors were alerted to check up on the woman. After examinations, the doctors declared her dead, said police.

The Defence PRO in a statement said that an inquiry has been ordered to investigate the incident by Indian Navy.

"The unfortunate incident of the unnatural death of Aparna V Nair, Agniveer Logistics(F&A), age 20, occurred at INS Hamla, Mumbai on 27th November. An inquiry has been ordered to investigate the incident by Indian Navy," the statement read. 

Agniveer is a term used for soldiers recruited under the Agnipath Scheme. The scheme was announced on June 14, 2022.

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The Agnipath Scheme is the only way to serve in the military. Under the scheme, soldiers serve for four years, which includes six months of training and 3.5 years of deployment. After retirement, they can apply to continue in the armed forces.

Last month, Gawate Akshay Laxman, an Agniveer operator, laid down his life on the treacherous terrains of the Siachen glacier. He is the first Agniveer to have laid down his life in operations after serving nine months in the Army. He passed away after suffering a heart attack on October 20. 

In another case of death by suicide of an Agniveer, Amritpal Singh died due to an self-inflicted bullet injury while on sentry duty. He died on October 11, in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri area after he shot himself with his own service rifle. 

A controversy sparked around Singh's last rites as the Indian Army explained why he won't be receiving the guard of honour. 

"Armed Forces do not differentiate between the soldiers who joined prior to or after implementation of the Agnipath Scheme as regards entitled benefits and protocols. Unfortunate instances of death arising out of suicide/self-inflicted injury, irrespective of the type of entry, are accorded due respect by the Armed Forces along with deep and enduring empathy with the family. Such cases, however, are not entitled to Military Funerals as per the extant Army Order of 1967, in vogue. Policy on the subject has been consistently followed ever since, without any discrimination," the Army said taking to social media platform 'X'. 

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