New Delhi-The two naval officers who were missing following the accident on board the INS Sindhuratna submarine on Wednesday, 100 km from the Mumbai coast, were declared dead by the Navy on Thursday after their bodies were recovered from the third compartment of the submarine, which was filled with dense smoke suspected to have emanated from the battery pit.
The deceased officers have been identified by the Navy as Lt Commanders Kapish Muwal and Manoranjan Kumar. Both were electrical officers. Sources said that the both of them were trapped inside the third compartment, which had been sealed off following the emission of thick smoke that could have otherwise engulfed the entire submarine. The two officers choked to death on finding no way out of the compartment.
The fact that the accident occurred on a 25-year-old submarine has led many to allege that the government’s delay in inducting new submarines is now claiming the lives of young naval officers. This has also led to demands that defence minister A.K. Antony should also accept moral responsibility for the dismal state of affairs.
