The Navy on Friday paid last respects to Lieutenant Commanders Kapish Muwal and Manoranjan Kumar, who died in the fire onboard INS Sindhuratna off Mumbai coast two days ago.
The two Lt Commanders sacrificed their life in their effort to put out the fire and they had pushed other colleagues out of the smoke-filled compartment of the vessel before the safety hatch sealed shut, trapping them inside.
For their brave and selfless act to save both the submarine and their colleagues, the Navy paid its last respects to the officers with full military honours.
Western Naval Commander Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha, who is now the senior-most Naval officer after Admiral D K Joshi resigned as Chief on the day of the accident, was present at the wreath-laying ceremony at the Mumbai Naval Hospital, a Navy officer said here.
The Naval Ensign (flags) on board all warships and naval establishments in Mumbai were lowered at half mast in honour of the sacrifice made by the officers, the officer said.
The remains were handed over to their next of kin and transported to their home towns for last rites, he said.
‘Antony should Quit’
The BJP came down heavily on Defence Minister A K Antony, saying the buck stopped with him and so he should step down. “Navy chief D K Joshi was “disturbed” by the accidents and resigned. The nation is asking the PM and the Defence Minister why they are not disturbed with the loss of life and property, as well as loss of face for the nation. Antony must take moral responsibility and resign,” BJP spokesman Prakash Javadekar said.