Commander Kuntal Wadhwa NM

INS Kolkata Incident: 07 Mar 2014

The citation for the Nao Sena Medal awarded to him reads:

Commander Kuntal Wadhwa was a part of commissioning crew of destroyer Kolkata and posted on-board as Engineer Officer (Desig), since May 30, 2013. He was actively involved in all trials and tests being conducted by the shipyard towards preparation of the ship for delivery to the Indian Navy. One of the major trials was the CO2 Gas Discharge Test (GDT) which is conducted only on the first ship of the class to test the efficiency of the fire fighting system for machinery compartments. This test was scheduled on 07 Mar 2014. Considering the potential hazards involved in the operation of the fire fighting system during the first test, Commander Wadhwa undertook meticulous planning of the entire test procedure to ensure the safety of the men under him. On the day of the incident, he personally briefed the entire team and ensured that the crew were in appropriate stations with adequate personnel safety gear prior to commencement of the test. Having assured complete safety of his team, the officer decided to personally lead the team manning the Aft CO2 station which houses the CO2 cylinders and the manual actuation mechanism to be used in case of failure of automatic system. Commander Wadhwa refused to put his juniors in harm’s way and his decision to lead the team in the CO2 station was based on the assessment of the risk and corrective action that would be necessary in case of failure of automatic system.

As soon as test commenced, the CO2 system malfunctioned and resulted in heavy leakage of CO2 gas in the aft station. Displaying rare courage and scarce regard to his personal safety, Commander Wadhwa ordered his team to evacuate the station immediately and stayed back to rectify the defect and arrest the leakage. While ensuring the safety of his team and the ship as a whole, he sustained a head injury along with inhalation of large quantity of CO2, which proved to be fatal. Commander Kuntal Wadhwa was a highly competent naval officer, who served the Indian Navy with distinction and utmost dedication for over 17 years as a commissioned officer. His exemplary leadership qualities and his dedication to the profession had earned him the respect and affection of his men. For his selfless act of bravery and courage in the face of adversity, in keeping with the highest traditions of service, Commander Kuntal Wadhwa has been Posthumously awarded Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry).

The inspiring story of his wife (Lieutenant Commander Sandhya Wadhwa): A Journey of Courage and Legacy

The story of Sandhya Wadhwa is a powerful example of resilience, determination, and devotion to duty. From being a schoolteacher and mother of two to becoming an officer in the Indian Navy, her journey reflects extraordinary strength. Born in Kochi into a naval family, Sandhya grew up in a disciplined military environment as the daughter of a naval commodore. She studied at Kendriya Vidyalaya at the Kochi Naval Base and later graduated from Gargi College in Delhi. In 2001, she married Cdr Kuntal Wadhwa, an officer in the Indian Navy.

The couple built a happy life while moving across naval postings in cities such as Mumbai, Pune, and Visakhapatnam. Their life changed forever on March 7, 2014, when Cdr Kuntal Wadhwa, serving on INS Kolkata, sacrificed his life while trying to stop a dangerous carbon dioxide leak during a safety test. For his bravery and leadership, he was posthumously awarded the Nau Sena Medal.  Despite the devastating loss, Sandhya showed remarkable courage. Just three days after her husband’s death, she expressed her desire to join the Navy and carry forward his legacy. At the age of 41—well beyond the usual age limit—she received a special waiver from the Ministry of Defence and appeared for the Services Selection Board in Bengaluru.

After successfully clearing the selection process, she trained at the Indian Naval Academy, competing with cadets almost half her age. Her parents cared for her children while she underwent the demanding training. Upon completion, Sandhya was commissioned into the logistics branch and trained at INS Hamla. In 2015, she became part of the Indian military’s first all-women marching contingent at the Republic Day Parade, proudly marching with 144 women officers in front of the chief guest, Barack Obama. Later that year, she received her late husband’s gallantry medal aboard INS Viraat, making the moment deeply emotional and symbolic of the legacy she chose to uphold. Today, Lieutenant Commander Sandhya Wadhwa continues to serve the nation with pride. Her journey—from a grieving widow to a naval officer marching in the Republic Day parade—stands as a powerful inspiration for courage, perseverance, and dedication to duty.