New Delhi: A marine commando from the special forces of the Indian Navy died during a training exercise in West Bengal's Panagarh on Wednesday, news agency PTI reported.
According to people familiar with the matter, Chandaka Govind died while carrying out a para jump from an aircraft.
In a tweet, the Indian Navy said Govind, a petty officer, lost his life while undergoing training exercise.
"Adm R Hari Kumar #CNS & all personnel of #IndianNavy pay tribute to Chandaka Govind, Petty Officer who lost his life whilst undergoing training exercise at Panagarh on 05 Apr 23 and extend heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family," the Navy tweeted.
The people cited above said Govind was part of the Indian Navy's elite special forces known as Marine Commando Force (Marcos).
Govind, in a brown jumpsuit and helmet, was found outside the gate of a factory in Barjora in the Bankura district, IANS reported.
A semi-opened parachute was attached to his shoulders. The police took him to the Barjora Super Specialty Hospital where the doctors declared him brought dead.
Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar and all personnel of the Navy condoled Govind's demise.
A high-level inquiry has been ordered into the commando's death.
"A Court of Inquiry (CoI) has been constituted to probe the incident. Prima facie, it seems that the main parachute of the ill-fated soldier failed to open. He may have opted for his emergency chute but it could have malfunctioned as well. A probe will reveal what actually went wrong. Barjora is barely 20 km (as the crow flies) from Panagarh and there is no mystery why he landed there, " IANS quoted an official as saying.
It is to be noted that modern day parachutes are extremely maneuverable and they can be guided to their targets by Special Forces personnel from a distance of up to 40km.