Mumbai: Defence Minister Arun Jaitley and Naval Chief Robin Dhowan on Saturday visited Western Naval Command in Mumbai to see the salvaged INS Sindhurakshak that sunk last year in August killing 18 sailors.
The sailors went missing after weapons stored in the forward section of the Russian-built INS Sindhurakshak exploded in the middle of the night, causing a fire as it lay berthed in Mumbai, the Navy’s worst losses in more than four decades.
Jaitley also visited INS Viraat and then moved to review the functioning and operational preparedness of the Western Naval Command. INS Viraat was till recently the only aircraft carrier in the Indian Navy and the force is working towards keeping it operational for a few more years to meet its requirements.
The Western Naval Command, considered to be the sword-arm of the Indian Navy, suffered major blows in terms of the loss of INS Sindhurakshak.Â
The Defence Minister was invited by the Armed Forces to visit far-flung bases to show solidarity with the troops and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is believed to have been invited to visit Siachen glacier by the Army and largest warship aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya by the Navy.