ISLAMABAD: Two scientists linked to India’s Defence Research andDevelopment Organisation have died under strikingly similar circumstancesin the past five weeks, prompting concern in defence circles across theregion.
Akashdeep Gupta, a 30-year-old system engineer working on the BrahMossupersonic cruise missile project, collapsed at his Lucknow residence onthe night of October 21 after complaining of uneasiness following dinner.He was declared dead on arrival at a local hospital. Post-mortemexamination confirmed cardiac arrest caused by a heart blockage.
Just over a month later, Aditya Verma, a 28-year-old Joint Director postedat DRDO’s Defence Food Research Laboratory in Mysuru, was found unconsciousin the bathroom of his Alwar home on the morning of November 27. He hadmarried only two days earlier. Doctors pronounced him dead despiteimmediate medical attention.
Both scientists were relatively young, recently married, and collapsedsuddenly at home shortly after feeling unwell. While Gupta’s death has beenofficially attributed to natural cardiac failure, the exact cause ofVerma’s death awaits a forensic viscera report.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation, established in 1958under India’s Ministry of Defence, spearheads development of advancedmissile systems including BrahMos, Agni, Akash and Astra, besides combataircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles.
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Although no official link has been established between the two deaths andauthorities have not indicated foul play, the timing and pattern have drawnattention on social media and among security observers.
Source: www.ndtv.com/india-news”>https://www.ndtv.com/india-news