Indian sub commander died saving a sailor overboard

02.09.2010 Trying to save a subordinate washed overboard not far off Mumbai, INS Shankush commander Firdaus Mogul died.

The tragic incident happened right after joint Indian-French exercise, reported Interfax referring to Indian Navy's sources.

Submarine INS Shankush and frigate INS Brahmaputra practiced interaction with French frigate Dupleix. On Monday at 8.30 am approx the sub was prepared for diving. Within minutes before submergence the sub commander found out that a sailor remained topside repairing failure.

Mogul rushed outside along with four crewmen; the submarine was almost covered with waves. Trying to help a sailor fallen into the sea, the sub commander slipped in the water. Other submariners managed to rescue the repairman, although failed to yank the commander out of the water. Not trying to survive, he was taken away by waves; obviously, he fainted.

The officer's body was found by Coast Guard helicopters several hours later. According to inquiry held, the CO suffered an injury while falling into the sea, so he could not hold aswim in the chopping sea.

"Special investigative panel will answer the questions what exactly happened to the sub, why people were unguarded topside and were not ordered to get inside on time", said Indian Navy's official.