NEW DELHI, Nov 4: Almost 100 Indian soldiers are committing suicide every year and are mainly those deployed in occupied Kashmir and the north-eastern states, according to India's army chief.

Dozens of soldiers, including officers, have also been killed by their colleagues in held Kashmir. Early this week a soldier shot dead an officer at an army camp in Srinagar in the fourth such incident in little more than a week.

“On average we have been having about 100 suicide cases a year in the past four to five years, so this year has been (the) same,” Gen J.J. Singh said in Srinagar on Friday.

Indian authorities say they have introduced yoga for soldiers and officers to reduce stress. Gen Singh said counselling was also being provided.

India has a 1.1 million-strong army, the world's second largest after China.—AFP