Commander Subhal Nathan of INS Kalpeni gets ‘Nao Sena’ Medal

Commander Subhal Nathan of INS Kalpeni received Nausena Award on 63rd Republic Day for having successfully neutralized a pirate mother ship, while ensuring no damage to his ship or injury to the Ship’s crew. On the night of 12 Mar 11, INS Kalpeni was deployed for the engagement of a pirate mother vessel Vega-5, which resulted in the capture of 61 pirates and the release of 13 crew members of the vessel held hostage. During the operation, the officer displayed conspicuous gallantry, and professionalism while leading the ship in the face of hostile gun fire from pirate mother vessel. It is also note-worthy that re-deployment of his ship at short notice was the farthest ever for this class of ship covering a distance of 600 nm from the base port.

Despite being under fire, the officer held his nerve to give a graduated response of fire-power on the mother ship, which resulted in a minor fire onboard. This decisive action compelled the pirates to surrender and seek help. The officer correctly advised all pirates and hostages to jump overboard and swim clear of the vessel, to enable rescue by the ship.

In keeping with the highest humanitarian traditions of the Indian Navy, the officer led the ship’s company from the front working tirelessly to rescue all survivors from the water in an operation lasting over three hours. This required skillful ship-handling between the floating groups of survivors, while towing life-rafts alongside. Despite the heavy swell, acrid fumes of the burning mother-ship, and darkness of the night, the courage and persistence of the officer and his men resulted in the rescue of 74 survivors from the sea. The determined and gallant action of the officer and his ship resulted in the largest ever capture of pirates in a single incident, and neutralisation of one of the largest pirate mother ship. This operation has also projected the Indian Navy’s resolve to eradicate piracy from the seas. Cdr Subhal Nathan has been awarded ‘Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry)’ for displaying exceptional courage and initiative in the face of danger.