Draft:Phool Kumar Puri

Commodore Phool Kumar Puri, AVSM, NM (23 July 1945 – 25 Feb 2023), also known as P.K. Puri, was a former Indian Navy Officer. He was the Engineering Officer onboard INS Veer (K82) during Operation Trident during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. He specialised in design and later became the director of naval design at the Directorate of Naval Design (DND).

Early Life & Education
He was born in Lahore, Punjab, in British India on 23 July 1945, to Mulk Raj Puri & Mohan Piyari Puri. His father, Mulk Raj Puri, was an Engineer and helped in the construction of the Bhakra-Nangal Dam. Commdore Puri went to Punjab Engineering College and entered the Navy through the 'University Entry Scheme'.

Military career
He joined the Navy on 1966 at the age of 21. In 1969, he was selected to go to Vladivostok as an Engineering Officer onboard INS Veer and was part of the commissioning crew of this ship. Onboard INS Veer, he inducted the brand new 36-cylinder radial engines and control system. During operations on 4th December 1971, INS Veer faced a massive engine room fire. As the Engineering Officer onboard her, him and his team successfully put out the fire, allowing INS Veer to safely get out of enemy territory and reach Bombay harbour safely. He later became the Director of Naval Design for the Indian Navy, and his last assignment was in shipbuilding. In 2001, he retired from the Indian Navy in the rank of a Commdore.