Corporal Inder Prakash was serving with Indian Naval Air Squadron 315 when he made the supreme sacrifice on 1 October 2002.
INAS 315 was commissioned on 1 October 1977 and had completed 25 years of service when the tragedy occurred. The squadron was based at INS Hansa in Goa and operated Ilyushin-38 maritime reconnaissance aircraft.
On 1 October 2002, two IL-38 aircraft were taking part in a ceremonial flypast near Dabolim as part of the squadron's silver jubilee celebrations.
The two aircraft were flying in formation when they collided in mid-air. The aircraft subsequently crashed in the Dabolim area.
Corporal Inder Prakash was among the naval personnel aboard the aircraft. He made the supreme sacrifice along with the other members of the two crews.
All 12 naval personnel aboard the two aircraft died in the accident. Three civilians on the ground also lost their lives.
The tragedy became one of the darkest chapters in the history of INAS 315. The squadron's silver jubilee, which was intended to mark 25 years of service, became a day of remembrance for the personnel who were lost.
Corporal Inder Prakash's name is preserved among the 12 Indian Navy personnel who made the supreme sacrifice in the 1 October 2002 Dabolim tragedy.
The Honour Post honours his service and pays tribute to his supreme sacrifice.
