Navy misses deadline on Sindhurakshak probe

The navy has failed to meet the four-week deadline to probe how the Russian-built Indian submarine, INS Sindhurakshak, blew up and sank at a Mumbai harbour on August 14, killing all 18 men on board.

The navy has failed to meet the four-week deadline to probe how the Russian-built Indian submarine, INS Sindhurakshak, blew up and sank at a Mumbai harbour on August 14, killing all 18 men on board.

Sources said full-scale investigations into one of the worst accidents in the navy’s history could be pursued only after the Kilo-class boat was salvaged — an arduous task that could take several months.

As first reported by HT on August 16, the navy has sought foreign help to retrieve the submarine. Five international firms are bidding for a contract to salvage the 16-year-old boat. The work will begin only after the tender is awarded.

2 Dutch firms had taken four months to salvage Russian nuclear submarine Kursk after it exploded and sank in Barents Sea in August 2000. Defence minister AK Antony had told Parliament on August 19 that the explosions that sank the boat were caused by “possible igniting” of its weapons.