An image of an Indian Navy personnel is being shared online with the false claim that Sailor Dinesh Kumar lost his life aboard an Indian Naval vessel due to poor maintenance and inadequate training practices. This claim is entirely baseless and misleading. In reality, Sailor Dinesh Kumar Burdak had been courageously fighting cancer for an extended period and sadly passed away while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Delhi.
Sharing the image on X (Formerly Twitter) Pakistan-based propaganda account @TacticalTribun wrote. “Indian Navy Sailor Dinesh Kumar has been mysteriously killed on board Indian Navy vessel. Indian officials have not mentioned further details which indicates India’s poor maintenance and training are behind this incident.”
Several other users, influencers and propagandists have also disseminated the claims. Their posts can be seen here, @Raad_Pak, @CrimesDigest.
The truth behind the claims, Fact Check
As soon as the posts containing the photo and claims came to our attention. Subsequently, We conducted research and analysis regarding the claims. We found that Dinesh Kumar Burdak passed away due to illness.
To verify the claims made by propagandists. We performed relevant keyword searches and found media reports regarding his death. According to the reports (1, 2, 3), Sailor Dinesh Kumar Burdak had been courageously fighting cancer for an extended period and sadly passed away while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Delhi. His death was unrelated to any incident on a naval vessel or issues concerning maintenance or training within the Navy. Following his passing, his body was respectfully transported to his hometown in Sikar, Rajasthan, where his final rites were conducted with full military honors by Navy officials.
Therefore, it is evident from D-Intent Data’s Fact Check that the claims about the death of sailor Dinesh Kumar Burdak on a naval vessel were false and self-invented.
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— D-Intent Data (@dintentdata) January 13, 2025
ANALYSIS: Misleading
FACT: An image of an Indian Navy personnel is being circulated online with the claim that Indian Navy Sailor Dinesh Kumar has tragically lost his life on board an Indian Naval vessel due to poor maintenance and irregular training practices. (1/4) pic.twitter.com/IdF1nhlsUF
Intent
Propagandists are circulating false claims about the unfortunate demise of a young Navy sailor to set their narrative against India.
Conclusion
Claim– Sailor Dinesh Kumar lost his life aboard an Indian Naval vessel due to poor maintenance and inadequate training practices.
Fact– Sailor Dinesh Kumar Burdak had been courageously fighting cancer for an extended period and sadly passed away while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Delhi.
