Firdaus Mogal was born on 15 October 1974 to Darabshah and Armin Mogal in Ahmedabad. Eldest of three sons, he completed his schooling from Maneckji Cooper Educational Trust and joined the National Defence Academy in 1992. He was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 1 Jan 1998.
Adventurous, he volunteered for the submarine arm and qualified the Basic Submariner course with flying colours. His illustrious career included appointments as Anti Submarine Warfare Officer on-board INS Shalki, the Training Coordinator at Submarine School, INS Satvahana, Vishakhapatnam and the Executive Officer of INS Shankush. For his professional competence and devotion to duty, he was commended by the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command in 2007.
He assumed duties as Executive Officer of INS Shankush, a naval submarine on May 26, 2010. On August 29, whilst the submarine was en-route for a deployment, a defect was observed. The authorities decided to surface the submarine in the exercise area after sunrise to attempt external repairs on the starboard flap to enable it to continue her mission. At that time, the submarine was experiencing heavy seas and rough weather.
At around 6.55 am on August 30, 2010, when a team of three sailors, led by the Engineering Officer, was working on repairs, a strong wave swept two of them. The Engineering Officer overboard, Lt Cdr (Lieutenant Commander) Mogal immediately swung into action. The third sailor hanging from the aft casing was required to be rescued. He was completely immobilised due to leg injury. Disregarding personal safety, Mogal carried the sailor from aft casing to the bridge. His strength and fortitude drove him to attempt the task in the prevailing weather condition.
After about 20 minutes of frantic struggle, the officer reached the ladder on the fin that had to be climbed for handing over the injured sailor to bridge. This was again seemingly impossible as it involved climbing a narrow ladder with no strong foothold. He was equal to it.
The recovery of the first casualty infused hope in the overboard men to hang on and they looked at their Executive Officer for their rescue. Lt Cdr Mogal displayed supreme bravery to assist the divers. He managed to pull overboard men close to the submarine. However, in the attempt, a huge wave submerged them completely. It broke all six personnel, including Lt Cdr Mogal. Lt Cdr Mogal was unfazed and gathered all overboard men in one huddle. He then signalled bridge that he would get this huddle to climb on-board. Led by Lt Cdr Mogal, the huddle closed the submarines casing. He then started helping others in the huddle to climb on-board.
He swam tirelessly and even made others stand on his shoulders so that they could climb on-board. His concern for his men was such that he ordered all men to climb on-board before him. Once all were on-board, Lt Cdr Mogal attempted to climb up. As he was about to reach, another wave swept him overboard. Apparently, he sustained head injuries due to this wave.
The Anti Submarine Warfare Officer (ASWO) of the submarine called for the assistance of a Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopter and he was transferred to the Naval Hospital INHS Ashwini. He succumbed to his injuries and was martyred after saving the lives of six of his shipmates.
Lt Cdr Mogal was awarded the ‘Shaurya Chakra’, posthumously on the Independence Day 2011 Honours List for his gallant deed beyond the call of duty, leadership and supreme sacrifice in the highest traditions of Indian Navy.
Lt Cdr Firdaus Darabshah Mogal is survived by his parents, wife Kerzin and son Yashaan. The submariners training centre at Visakhapatnam was renamed as ‘The Firdaus Mogal simulator complex building’ in 2012 in his memory.