Lt Kiran Shekhawat

Operational Air Mission: 24th March 2015

In March 2015, Lieutenant Kiran Shekhawat was serving with the Indian Naval Air Squadron (INAS) 310, a premier maritime reconnaissance squadron of the Indian Navy based at INS Hansa in Dabolim, Goa. Known as the “Cobras,” INAS 310 is one of the most decorated squadrons of the Indian Navy, with a distinguished operational history. The squadron was initially equipped with the French Breguet Br. 1050 Alizé aircraft and later transitioned to the German-origin Dornier Do-228 aircraft, inducted in 1991. These aircraft were configured for Maritime Patrol (MP) and Electronic Warfare (EW) roles and were equipped with advanced systems, including MEL Super Marec 360° search radar, sonobuoys, AES-210 Electronic Support Measures (ESM), and direction-finding systems. Over time, the aircraft underwent significant upgrades by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), including the addition of underwing hardpoints for external payloads such as 7.62 mm gun pods. Further enhancements in 1998, including GPS and modern ELINT systems, significantly strengthened the squadron’s operational capabilities.

INAS 310 played a crucial role in several major operations. During Operation Vijay (May–July 1999), the “Cobras” carried out maritime reconnaissance and electronic intelligence missions in close coordination with the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force, marking the first deployment of the Dornier aircraft as an EW platform in joint operations. The squadron also contributed significantly during Operation Parakram (2001–2002), following the terrorist attack on the Indian Parliament, undertaking ELINT missions from forward locations such as Naliya. On 24 March 2015, the squadron undertook another operational sortie from Goa. The aircraft was crewed by Commander Nikhil Joshi (pilot), Lieutenant Abhinav Nagori (co-pilot), and Lieutenant Kiran Shekhawat, who was serving as an Observer. In this role, she was actively engaged in tactical missions over the sea, involving surveillance, tracking, and potential engagement of hostile vessels violating India’s maritime boundaries. After completing all pre-flight checks, the Dornier aircraft took off as scheduled for a night mission. The initial phase of the sortie was uneventful. At approximately 2200 hours, the crew transmitted a routine message to Air Traffic Control: “Ops Normal.” However, shortly thereafter, while executing a low-level flying manoeuvre—an essential part of the mission profile at altitudes as low as 50 feet—the aircraft disappeared from the radar of the Naval Air Traffic Controller at Goa.

Immediate search and rescue operations were launched. Naval authorities alerted air traffic control centres at Mumbai, Mangalore, and Thiruvananthapuram, while ships and helicopters were deployed from Goa within minutes. It was later confirmed that the aircraft had crashed approximately 25 nautical miles off the coast of Goa at around 2208 hours. The body of Lieutenant Kiran Shekhawat, along with that of Lieutenant Abhinav Nagori, was recovered two days later from the wreckage, which was located at a depth of about 60 metres beneath the sea, southwest of the Goa coast. Commander Nikhil Joshi survived the crash and was rescued by a local fisherman. Lt Shekhawat’s body was found inside the fuselage of the aircraft. Lieutenant Kiran Shekhawat was a courageous and dedicated officer who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. She holds the solemn distinction of being the first woman officer of the Indian Navy to die in harness. Her unwavering commitment, professionalism, and spirit of service continue to inspire generations. Her father, Honorary Lieutenant Vijendra Singh Shekhawat (Retd), now runs a charitable organisation, the “Lt Kiran Shekhawat Foundation,” in her memory. 

• A Shaheed Park has been developed in the honour of Lt Kiran Shekhawat on a 2 acres land at Kurthala (Nuh) in Haryana.
• A life-size statue of Lt Kiran Shekhawat has been installed in the Shaheed Park at Kurthala.
•  A 7.5 Kilometres of road stretch between Chechera and Village Bighwali has been named after Lt Kiran Shekhawat in her honour.
• Lt Kiran Shekhawat’s family has established an organisation in March 2016 named “Lt Kiran Shekhawat Foundation“ to work for weaker sections of society and to organize periodical events with an aim to inspire the young generation.

• A tribute by her father Hony Lt Vijender Singh Shekhawat on the 4th anniversary of her martyrdom:

   

   

  It has been four years since my daughter, Kiran attained martyrdom, but she still shines in our lives, true to her name “Kiran” meaning “Sunray” and illuminates our home. A lovable child right from her childhood, Kiran was liked by one and all in the neighborhood. On the outward, she had a very cheerful disposition but also had resoluteness and toughness of a soldier from inside. Her soldierly qualities came to the fore in the later part of her life.

   

  As a daughter’s father, I treated her with kid gloves initially but my perception about her began to change after she cleared the Service Selection Board (SSB) and got selected to join the Indian Navy. During her initial training, I was worried about her tough training schedule and wondered how she would cope with it. But when she returned from her training and I was looking for a porter on the railway station to carry her luggage, she was all ready in no time with four bags and said, “Chalo” without waiting for any help. Her confidence coupled with the disarming smile filled me with pride and happiness. During her first posting, I happened to meet her Commanding Officer, who was all praise for her and told me, “Your daughter is professionally very competent and stands well above her contemporaries”. My eyes welled up with tears of delight and I thanked God for blessing me with a daughter like Kiran. I realized that day that she was cut out for bigger things in life.

   

  However, destiny had something else in store for her and she was martyred in an air crash on 24th Mar 2015 and became the first woman officer of Indian Navy to die in harness. The air crash besides Lt Kiran Shekhawat also claimed the life of Lt Abhinav Nagori. I salute and pay my respect to Lt Abhinav Nagori too, for his supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation. My daughter, Kiran showed how a daughter could be an epitome of courage and be a soldier that the nation could be proud of. The takeaway from Kiran’s story—the parents should never underestimate the capabilities of their daughters, as given the right exposure and support they could become shining stars and pride of the nation like “Kiran”.

   

  Jai Hind!