31/08/2026
Join me in paying homage to
LIEUTENANT COMMANDER FIRDAUS DARABSHAH MOGAL
INS SHANKUSH
on his Balidan Diwas today.
Lieutenant Commander Firdaus Darabshah Mogal assumed the duties of the Executive Officer of the submarine on 26 May, 2010. On 29 August, 2010, whilst the submarine was enroute for a deployment, a defect was observed on the starboard outer exhaust flap. All attempts to rectify the defect from within the submarine proved futile.
At about 0655 hour on 30 August 2010, a team comprising of 3 sailors led by the Engineer Officer of the submarine was sent on the casing for defect rectification. As the team was approaching the flap on the after casing, a strong wave swept two of the sailors and the Engineer Officer overboard. The third sailor was badly injured and was hanging overboard with his storm belt with major abrasive injuries on his leg, Lieutenant Commander Firdaus Darabshah Mogal who was on bridge, immediately realized the gravity of the situation. Since the injured sailor hanging on the after casing was required to be recovered immediately, he himself proceeded to rescue the injured sailor.
After about 20 min of frightening struggle, the officer reached the ladder on the fin that had to be climbed for handing over the injured sailor to bridge. The recovery of the first casualty infused hope in the overboard men to hang on and they looked at their Executive Office for their rescue. He managed to pull the overboard men close to the submarine.
Once all were onboard, the officer attempted to climb up and as he was about to reach another unfateful wave washed him overboard. It appeared that he had sustained head injuries due to this wave. Realizing this, the ASWO of the submarine proceeded to his rescue. Simultaneously, assistance of a SAR helicopter was called for from Mumbai. Lieutenant Commander Firdaus Darabshah Mogal was rescued by the helo and evacuated to INHS Asvini. He had immortalized himself before he could reach INHS Asvini.
Lieutenant Commander Firdaus Darabshah Mogal displayed exceptional courage, unmatched show of fearless valor in the face of death and made supreme sacrifice in saving the lives of six men.
