Navy loses pioneering aviator

Captain HS Jhajj, during the search for the Malaysian MH370 airliner.

Captain HS Jhajj, during the search for the Malaysian MH370 airliner.

Last week, the Indian Navy lost one of its most accomplished officers.

jhajjCaptain HS Jhajj, Commissioning CO of the navy’s P-8I squadron, passed away suddenly from a cardiac arrest on Saturday. He was only 43.

Jhajj, who had earlier served as XO on the Bramhaputra-class guided missile frigate, INS Betwa, was the first navy pilot to be trained on the Boeing P-8I Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance (LRMR) aircraft, the first to fly a P-8I aircraft to India, the officer in charge of the navy’s P-8I induction, spearheaded the navy’s search operation for the Malaysian MH370 airliner and next month, would have been the first commanding officer of the P-8I squadron when it is commissioned next month.

StratPost got a chance to interview him (then a Commander) after he landed with the first P-8I at INS Rajali, last year. Here’s what he had to say.

Captain Jhajj is survived by his wife and two sons.


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