The remains of Commandant Rakesh Kumar Rana, the captain of the ill-fated ‘Dhruv’ advanced light helicopter (ALH), have been discovered after an extensive search effort. Rana, aged 38, had been missing since September 2, when he was overseeing a medical evacuation from the Indian-flagged tanker Hari Leela, approximately 45 km off the Gujarat coast near Porbandar.
While one crew member was successfully rescued, the bodies of co-pilot Commandant Vipin Babu and diver Karan Singh were recovered earlier. The Coast Guard, along with the Navy, executed a relentless search operation, conducting over 70 aerial sorties and dedicating 82 ship days to locate Rana.
An official confirmed the retrieval of his mortal remains from the sea on Thursday, marking a solemn end to a month-long search.
This incident highlights the bravery and dedication of the Coast Guard personnel involved in rescue operations, showcasing their commitment to saving lives even under challenging circumstances.
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