1971 war hero M.P. Awati passes away

New Delhi: Vice-Admiral M.P. Awati (retd.), who commanded a naval unit of the Eastern Fleet in the 1971 India-Pakistan war and whose actions led to the destruction of an enemy submarine, passed away at his hometown near Satara in Maharashtra on Sunday, the Navy said. Vice-Admiral Awati, a Vir Chakra recipient, was 91.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman described him as an icon in the naval history. “Vice Admiral M P Awati (Retd) #PVSM, #VirChakra passed away; was the commanding officer of a naval unit of the Eastern Fleet, Dec’71. Captured three enemy ships carrying contraband goods. His actions led to destruction of an enemy submarine. An icon in naval history. My homage,” she tweeted.

Navy chief Sunil Lanba said Vice-Admiral Awati’s death marked the end of an era. “A giant of a man, one of our tallest heroes and greatest icons,” he said on the Navy’s Twitter handle.