In a solemn ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan, President Droupadi Murmu conferred the esteemed Shaurya Chakra on Lieutenant Commander Kapil Yadav, Assistant Engineering Officer of INS Visakhapatnam. This prestigious recognition was part of the Defence Investiture Ceremony 2025 (Phase 1), celebrating Lt Cdr Yadav’s extraordinary bravery and technical prowess demonstrated during a perilous maritime rescue operation in January 2024.
Lt Cdr Yadav’s remarkable courage came to light during Operation PoG (Prosperity Guardian) in the Red Sea when he responded to a distress call from the oil tanker MV Marlin Luanda. The vessel had been struck by an anti-ship missile launched by Houthi forces amidst rising tensions in the region. The attack resulted in a catastrophic fire aboard the tanker, which was transporting highly flammable Naphtha.
Displaying exceptional composure and disregarding his own safety, Lt Cdr Yadav led critical firefighting operations to manage and ultimately extinguish the fire. His decisive actions were pivotal in preventing a potential explosion, safeguarding the lives of the crew, which comprised 22 Indian nationals and one Bangladeshi sailor.
The distressing incident transpired on January 26, 2024, approximately 110 kilometers southeast of Aden, while the MV Marlin Luanda was on a voyage from Egypt to Singapore. The vessel, operated by UK-based Oceonix Services and managed by Singapore’s Suntech Maritime, was carrying Russian-origin Naphtha chartered by Trafigura. The missile strike was part of a series of Houthi assaults on merchant vessels in the Red Sea, which began in late 2023 and have raised significant global concerns regarding maritime security.
In recognition of their collective efforts, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) honored the ship’s crew, led by Captain Abhilash Rawat, with the 2024 Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea. Additionally, the Indian Navy personnel aboard INS Visakhapatnam, including Lt Cdr Yadav, received a Letter of Commendation from the IMO for their critical support during the incident.
The Defence Investiture Ceremony also acknowledged other valiant servicemen. Major Tripatpreet Singh of the Army Service Corps, 34 Rashtriya Rifles, and Major CVS Nikhil of the 21st Battalion, The Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), were awarded the Shaurya Chakra for their involvement in separate high-risk military operations. Major Nikhil was recognized for neutralizing two insurgents associated with a Valley-Based Insurgent Group near the Indo-Myanmar border.
As tensions in the Red Sea continue to disrupt international shipping routes, the actions of Lt Cdr Yadav and his colleagues underscore the Indian Navy’s crucial role in maintaining global maritime security. The ceremony served as a poignant tribute to the courage and unwavering commitment of India’s armed forces.
