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NEW DELHI: Mortal remains of Indian Coast Guard pilot who went missing after a helicopter crashed in September was retrieved from the coast of Gujarat, said the Indian Coast Guard in a statement.
Earlier on September 2, Cmdr. Rakesh Kumar Rana, the pilot in command of the ALH MK-III helicopter, was among four people on board when it made a landing in water in the Arabian Sea.
One crew member was rescued while the bodies of two others were recovered soon after the crash. The two crew members who lost their lives were identified as Commandant (JG) Vipin Babu and Karan Singh, Pradhan Navik. Their bodies were recovered from sea on September 3, 2024 after a massive search and rescue operation.
“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.
“His mortal remains will be cremated as per service traditions and honour. 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 Coast Guard said in a release.
As part of the continuous search efforts by ICG and IN ships in area, more than 70 air sorties and 82 ship days involving several ships were tasked for locating the missing pilot.
Rana’s remains were found about 55 kilometres southwest of Porbandar, Gujarat, on Thursday, the Indian Coast Guard said in a statement.
The remains will be cremated with full military honours, the Indian Coast Guard said.
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