Deadly fire onboard Indian Navy ship leads to martyrdom of an officer

A case of fire was reported onboard Indian Navy ship Vikramaditya this morning when the ship was entering harbour in Karwar.

The fire was brought under control by the ship’s crew in a swift action preventing any serious damage affecting the ship’s combat capability.

File photo of Lt Cdr DS Chauhan. He recently got married and was just 30 years old. He saved the ship and also 1500 other officers on board INS Vikramaditya but had to embrace martyrdom.
“We salute his courage and sense of duty and will make every effort to ensure that his supreme sacrifice does not go in vain. We shall be with his family forever and at all times” – Admiral Sunil Lanba Chief of Naval Staff said on the martyrdom of Lt Cdr DS Chauhan.

Lt Cdr DS Chauhan bravely led the firefighting efforts in the affected compartment. Whilst the fire was brought under control, the officer suffered loss of consciousness owing to the smoke and fumes during the firefighting efforts. He was immediately evacuated to the Naval Hospital at Karwar, INHS Patanjali for medical attention said a note released by the Ministry of Defence a few hours back.

However, the officer could not be revived.

A Board of Inquiry to investigate in to the circumstances of the incident has been ordered.

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