Analysis of Non Enemy Action Deaths in Counter Insurgency Operations through Mortuary Services

BackgroundRegional Trauma Centre in the northern India receives the mortal remains of all fallen soldiers for embalming. Non enemy action deaths during counter insurgency operations (CI Ops) were analysed for planning preventive measures.MethodsMortal remains received for embalming from Jan 1999 to Dec 2006 were analysed with respect to mode of injury, causation, body parts involved, fatality, seasonal variation and changing trends.ResultAccidents accounted for 3.02 deaths per thousand troops and environmental factors were responsible for 1.14 deaths per thousand troops deployed. Accidental deaths peaked in 2000, declined in 2001 and then remained more or less static. Of the accidental deaths, 88% were brought in dead and 12% died after reaching hospital. Road traffic accidents were the major killers accounting for 48.2%, followed by accidental discharge of weapon 35.5%. The latter is showing a rising trend from 8% of total accidents in 2001 to 65% in 2005 and 51% in 2006 (p<.01). Most (49.7%) of the deaths were below 25 years of age. Proportion of persons below 25 years was more in fatalities due to accidental gunshot wound. Amongst the road traffic accidents, 40% died of head injury and 51.2% due to multiple injuries. When deaths occurred due to accidental discharge of own weapon, 36.4% had brain injury and 22% heart injury. Of the environmental fatalities all but one were brought in dead. Majority were due to avalanches and landslides (51.2%), followed by earthquake (22.4%), lightning (12.8%), high altitude pulmonary oedema (10.4%) and hypothermia (3.2%). Most of the deaths due to avalanches occurred in February while all deaths due to earthquake were in October 2005. Of the deaths due to lightning, 75% occurred in April and May.ConclusionPrevention of death caused by road traffic accidents, accidental discharge of weapon, avalanches and lightning will conserve manpower and add to operational preparedness.