1971 war hero dies

Mumbai, March 20

Captain Mohan Narayan Rao Samant, a gallantry awarded Navy Officer, who had the privilege of the taking charge of the newly formed Bangladesh Navy when the country was created in 1971 died at Mumbai this morning. He was 89.

He was the Chief of the Bangladesh Navy for a brief period till he handed over the charge to Lt Cdr Nurul Haque in early 1972. The Captain (equal to Colonel of the Army) was awarded the Mahavir Chakra, the second highest war-time gallantry in 1971, for operation ‘Cactus Lily’. — TNS