New Delhi: Lieutenant Commander Shivam Kumar, who persistently searched for two missing Indian crew members and later recovered their bodies by entering a burning, gas-filled LPG tanker in the Gulf of Aden, despite the threat of a secondary explosion, has been awarded the Shaurya Chakra for exceptional gallantry.
Kumar was serving as the NBCD (Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defence) Officer onboard INS Trikand, when the Indian Navy warship was directed to assist MT Falcon, a Cameroon-flagged LPG tanker that had suffered a catastrophic explosion and major fire, while transiting through the Houthi attack zone on 18 October, 2025.
The vessel was structurally damaged and was ablaze following the explosion and left adrift. Onboard the MT Falcon, the fire was sustained through a continuing LPG leak, creating the potential for a catastrophic secondary explosion. Two Indian crew members were reported missing and presumed to be trapped onboard.
The citation describes the situation as being beyond normal operational risk, with the tanker carrying a large quantity of highly volatile fuel while its internal compartments were filled with LPG vapours, toxic smoke and intense heat.
Such was the danger that even a slight spark, equipment malfunction, or structural failure could have triggered a devastating chain reaction. Moreover, the operation was further compounded by the vessel’s location within the Houthi Attack Zone, thereby exposing the rescue team not only to the imminent threat of explosion and fire, but also to potential hostile action while operating in an isolated and extremely hazardous maritime environment.
The violent nature of the initial explosion had left bulkheads warped, decks weakened, passageways obstructed with twisted debris and the structural integrity of the vessel dangerously uncertain, significantly increasing the possibility of sudden collapse, entrapment or fatal injury to personnel undertaking rescue operations.
However, Kumar voluntarily chose to lead the operation, being fully aware that entry into the vessel could at any moment result in fatal burns, blast injuries, suffocation, entrapment or death due to a secondary LPG detonation.
Undeterred by the extreme danger, he entered the burning and gas-filled compartments of the devastated tanker multiple times, leading his team through smoke-choked passageways, heat-scorched confined spaces and heavily contaminated compartments where visibility was negligible, and survival itself was uncertain.
The citation stated that Kumar carried out continuous onboard technical and risk assessment procedures amidst rapidly deteriorating conditions, thereby enabling critical operational decisions and the safe continuation of the mission despite the grave and imminent danger to all personnel involved.
Kumar spearheaded multiple high-risk internal searches, deep within the shattered vessel to locate the missing crew members.
“Despite the hazardous conditions and overwhelming danger, he personally supervised and undertook the recovery of the dismembered and decomposed mortal remains from severely damaged compartments, ensuring their safe and dignified retrieval. His fearless actions, undertaken in the face of imminent and certain danger to life, were instrumental in the successful completion of the operation and reflected courage of the highest order in circumstances of exceptional peril,” the citation read.
The Indian Navy said that the officer’s actions were far beyond the normal call of duty and at immense personal risk, which resulted in the successful recovery of the mortal remains of the deceased crew members and brought immense pride, while significantly alleviating the image of the Indian Navy as a resolute, capable and dependable maritime force operating under the most demanding circumstances.
(Edited by Nivedita Patil)
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