In a solemn ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, President Droupadi Murmu conferred the prestigious Shaurya Chakra on Lieutenant Commander Kapil Yadav, Assistant Engineering Officer of INS Visakhapatnam. The honour was bestowed during the Defence Investiture Ceremony 2025 (Phase 1), recognizing his extraordinary bravery and technical skill during a high-risk maritime rescue in January 2024.
Lt Cdr Yadav’s courage was displayed during Operation PoG (Prosperity Guardian) in the Red Sea, when he responded to a distress call from the oil tanker MV Marlin Luanda. The tanker had been struck by an anti-ship missile launched by Houthi forces amid escalating tensions in the region. The attack triggered a massive fire aboard the vessel, which was carrying highly flammable Naphtha.
Demonstrating remarkable composure and disregard for his personal safety, Lt Cdr Yadav led critical firefighting operations to contain and extinguish the blaze. His actions prevented a potential explosion and ensured the safety of the crew, which included 22 Indian nationals and one Bangladeshi sailor.
The incident occurred on January 26, 2024, roughly 110 kilometers southeast of Aden, while the MV Marlin Luanda was en route from Egypt to Singapore. The vessel, operated by UK-based Oceonix Services and managed by Suntech Maritime of Singapore, 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 that began in late 2023, drawing global concern over maritime security.
In recognition of their collective efforts, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) awarded the ship’s crew, led by Captain Abhilash Rawat, the 2024 Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea. The Indian Navy personnel aboard INS Visakhapatnam, including Lt Cdr Yadav, received a Letter of Commendation from the IMO for their critical support.
The Defence Investiture Ceremony also honoured other gallant 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), received the Shaurya Chakra for their roles in separate high-risk military operations. Major Nikhil was recognised for neutralizing two insurgents of a Valley-Based Insurgent Group near the Indo-Myanmar border.
As tensions in the Red Sea continue to affect international shipping lanes, the actions of Lt Cdr Yadav and his colleagues highlight the Indian Navy’s vital role in global maritime security. The ceremony stood as a moving tribute to the courage and dedication of India’s armed forces.
