Former naval chief Admiral S M Nanda passes away

New Delhi: Former naval chief Admiral S M Nanda, a veteran of the 1971 Indo-Pak war, died on Monday evening in the national capital.

The 93-year-old Padma Vibhushan award winner was admitted to a city-based hospital on Monday morning and breathed his last around 2300hrs IST. He is survived by his two sons and wife besides grandchildren, family sources confirmed.

Nanda was admitted to Fortis, Vasant Kunj with complaints of fever and breathlessness, Navneet Singh, a physician of the hospital who treated the former navy chief, said.

Nanda, who was awarded the Param Vishist Seva Medal (PVSM) and the Ati Vishist Seva Medal (AVSM) for his distinguished service, was appointed the Chief of Naval Staff on March 1, 1970. He retired in 1973.

His legendary command of the navy during the 1971 Indo-Pak war and his success in steering it to a resounding victory is the high-water mark of the modern Indian Navy.

The funeral will take place on Tuesday with full military honours at Brar Square Crematorium in New Delhi at 1600 hrs.