Grief hangs heavy over Bhalu village in Himachal Pradesh's Hamirpur district. Aditya Sharma, a 23-year-old merchant navy cadet from here, was killed in a US strike, and three days on the family is still waiting for his body to reach home. His parents, grandmother and other relatives are inconsolable, and a pall of mourning has settled over the entire village.
A Father's Painful Questions
For Aditya's father, Rajesh Sharma, the grief has hardened into a list of unanswered questions. The one that haunts him most: if Aditya was still breathing, why was he not given first aid in time? He also asks why, when 21 sailors were pulled to safety after the incident, there was a delay in rescuing the remaining three sailors — and why their lives could not be saved.
His sharpest objection is over the voyage itself. The United States had been issuing attack warnings for several days, he says, so why did the company captain still send the sailors toward Oman? Rajesh Sharma has demanded a full investigation into Aditya's death in Oman.
Body Still on the Ship, Severe Head Injury
According to the information he has received, Rajesh Sharma said, Aditya's body is still on the ship and is being moved to another location for a postmortem. Preliminary information indicates that Aditya had suffered a serious head injury. The family is still waiting to learn when the body will arrive in India.
Uncle Challenges the Company's Account of the Ship's Location
Aditya's uncle, Sanjeev Lakhanpal, said he spoke to officials of the DG Shipping over the phone. The officials expressed sorrow over the incident and assured the family that every aspect of the matter would be investigated.
Lakhanpal directly questioned the company's version of events. He said the company claims the ship was stationed at one spot, whereas Aditya himself had told his father that the vessel was moving in the direction of Iran. He alleged that the company had failed to put adequate safety arrangements in place.
Demand for a Fair Probe and Action Against Those Responsible
Sanjeev Lakhanpal has demanded an impartial investigation into the whole affair and action against those found responsible. He said the DG Shipping has assured the family that every fact linked to Aditya's death will be thoroughly examined so that the truth comes out and the family gets justice.
The family also wants the central government to take up the matter with Oman and press for the body to be brought back to India quickly. Lakhanpal said the family had spoken to Aditya several times, and that he had even mentioned that, given the situation in Oman, the signals at sea could have been switched off — yet that was not done.
'After a Warning, There Is Never a Direct Attack'
In a sharp tone, Sanjeev Lakhanpal said that if a ship had already been attacked two days earlier, why was no precaution taken. When the US had given a warning, he argued, a direct attack never happens — what was done was a despicable act, and God alone will teach the lesson for it. For now, the entire family's eyes are fixed on the moment when Aditya's body will reach home for a final farewell.
