Can’t rule out sabotage but no hint yet: Navy chief on INS Sindhurakshak tragedy

When asked about the possibility of a sabotage,Admiral Joshi said that though it could not be ruled out,indicators at this point of time do not suggest so.

In Pictures: Explosion on board INS Sindhurakshak

Referring to the number of people onboard the submarine when the incident took place,the Navy chief said there were three officers and 15 other crew members,of which two officers and six sailors were married.

Related: Submarine submerges after explosion

According to the Navy chief,it took two hours for the rescuers to douse the fire,adding that the Navy divers had opened the main hatch of the submarine and they planned to remove floodwater.

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He further said that forensic evidence were being gathered,but ruled out any connection with the submarine accident of February 2010 as the boat was thoroughly refurbished in Russia.

This came after Defence Minister A K Antony condoled the death of naval personnel,even as he briefed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the mishap before leaving for Mumbai where the incident took place.

Navy sources,meanwhile,said that the explosion took place in the forward section of the Kilo class INS Sindhurakshak submarine which houses torpedoes and missiles.

The Navy has ordered a board of inquiry to probe the explosion and subsequent fire on board the submarine.

Due to the explosion,the submarine has submerged at the dock with only a portion visible above the surface,a defence statement said.