INS Sindhurakshak tragedy: Sabotage angle not ruled out, says Antony

Defence Minister A.K. Antony on Thursday said the sabotage angle cannot be ruled out behind the explosion on the naval submarine 'INS Sindhurakshak'.

Antony, who gave clarifications in the Rajya Sabha, said the Indian Navy has ordered an inquiry which has started its work to know the cause of the accident.

"The Navy has also ordered a study to assess the status of weapons on board sunk submarine in view of fear of any further explosion during salvage operations," he said, while responding to the demand of several members who sought to know whether sabotage was one of the reasons behind the accident which took place on August 14 and claimed lives of 18 naval personnel.

The Defence Minister further said five international and Indian companies are involved in surveying the vessel for salvage and Russian experts would be involved in the investigations after the vessel is dewatered.