Kochi. Eleven men belonging to the paramilitary forces successfully completed the five week diving course conducted by the Navy here.

There were eight from the Border Security Force (BSF) and three from the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) with P.K. Mandal, Constable of 8th Battalion NDRF being adjudged the Best Diver amongst the trainees at a ceremony at “Jalveer Smriti” (memorial for the Naval Diver), of Diving School, inside naval base here.

Captain Parveen Kumar Sinha, the Officer-in-Charge, Diving School commended all the trainees on successful completion of this physically challenging and rigorous course.

This is the first time such a formal course in “Diving” has been conducted by the Navy for the Para military. The course will equip para military jawans in undertaking underwater search and rescue missions during contingencies in their area of responsibility. The five week course comprised surface and underwater work up drills, confidence building drills and emergency and evacuation drills.

They were additionally trained for carrying out underwater searches in zero visibility and strong tidal conditions. The diving training will assist all the trainees to enhance their professional skill and competence to better carry out their duties in their respective Service.