Cannot lose soldiers to accidents: Parrikar

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said Friday India cannot afford to lose its soldiers to accidents, and that he will soon fix accountability for the recent sinking of a torpedo recovery vessel.

"The torpedo recovery vessel that sank... I have asked them to find reasons. People lost their lives, we cannot be that careless," Parrikar said at the Agenda Aaj Tak - 2014 conclave.

"Give me some time, I will fix accountability," he said.

Indian Naval Torpedo Recovery Vessel INTRV A 72 sank off Visakhapatnam Nov 6. The ship had sailed for a routine mission with 29 personnel onboard, including six from the Naval Science and Technology Laboratory (NSTL) in Visakhapatnam.

While returning to Visakhapatnam after completion of the mission, the vessel reported flooding in her steering gear compartment.

According to a recent reply by Parrikar in the Lok Sabha, 24 personnel were rescued and the body of one serviceman was also recovered. Four personnel remain missing.

The minister also referred to an incident at the Air Defence College in Gopalpur in Odisha, where during a routine firing practice, an accidental explosion left three officers and a sergeant injured.

"I cannot lose soldiers while loading the gun. I cannot lose soldiers due to carelessness," Parrikar said.

The minister, however, said fixing things will take some time.

"I am aware this cannot be done overnight," he added.