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.
Ninety three-year-old Nanda, a Padma Vibhushan award winner, was admitted to a city-based hospital this morning and breathed his last around 11 pm. He is survived by his two sons and wife besides grandchildren, family sources said.
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 Wednesday with full military honours at Brar Square Crematorium here at 1600 hrs.