- By Anushka Vats
- Fri, 11 Oct 2024 03:29 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The body of an Indian Coast Guard pilot, who went missing over a month ago after a helicopter belonging to the maritime security agency crashed into the Arabian Sea off Gujarat coast, has finally been recovered.
Rakesh Kumar Rana was in an ALH MK-III helicopter with two other crew members, whose bodies were recovered subsequently after the helicopter fell into the Arabian Sea off Porbandar on September 2. However, Rana's body couldn't be found back then, and a search continued to trace his body, which was later recovered from the sea, nearly 55 km southwest of Porbandar, on October 10, the Coast Guard said in a release.
"ICG (Coast Guard) along with the Indian Navy and other stakeholders continued unrelenting search efforts to locate Commandant Rakesh Kumar Rana, who was the Pilot in Command of the mission," said an official statement.
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"His mortal remains will be cremated as per service traditions and honor. A warm salute to the three brave souls from Rank and File of the Indian Coast Guard who laid down their lives in the line of duty," the press release added.
The Coast Guard's Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), which had four crew members on board, encountered an accident while attempting to rescue an injured individual from the motor tanker Hari Leela, located about 30 nautical miles from the Porbandar coast.
One of the four crew members on the helicopter, diver Gautam Kumar, was rescued right away, while three others went missing. The following day, the bodies of pilot Vipin Babu and diver Karan Singh were recovered, but Rana remained unaccounted for, leading to a large-scale search operation.
As part of the search by the Coast Guard and Indian Navy, more than 70 air sorties and 82 ship days involving several vessels were pressed into service, added the release.
(With inputs from agency)