He was 94. Nanda is survived by his wife and two sons.
Nanda’s body was consigned to flames at the Brar Square crematorium with full military honours on Tuesday evening. The funeral was attended by top brass of the armed forces.
However, defence ministry officials were conspicuous by their absence. Nanda was a recipient of the Padma Vibushan.
He had led the Navy with distinction during the 1971 war, with the Karachi raid still being studied in detail at many a military establishment across the country.
Nanda’s death marks the end of an era. Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, who led the Indian Army during the 1971 operations, died last year, also aged 94.
The Indian Air Force chief during the war, Air Chief Marshal PC Lal, had died in 1984, aged 67.
Published 12 May 2009, 19:38 IST