Karachi Port was destroyed by the Indian Navy, the fire kept burning for seven days

Indian Navy Day is celebrated to commemorate the victory of the Indian Navy over the Pakistani Navy in the 1971 war. On 3 December, the Indian Army had started the war against the Pak Army in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). At the same time, under ‘Operation Trident’, on December 4, 1971, the Indian Navy also attacked the Karachi naval base. For the first time in this war, the ship was attacked with anti-ship missiles. The Navy destroyed three Pakistani ships. In this, INS Khukri of the Indian Navy was also submerged in water.

It had about 176 sailors including 18 officers. Operation Trident Operation Trident was planned under the leadership of Chief of Naval Staff Admiral SM Nanda. The responsibility of this task was given to 25th Squadron Commander Babru Bhan Yadav. On 4 December 1971, the Navy launched the first attack on the Pakistan Naval Headquarters in Karachi. Several ships, including the Ammunition Supply Ship, were destroyed. During this, the oil tankers of Pakistan were also destroyed. What was the plan? Indian Naval Fleet 250 km from Karachi. It was stopped at a distance of 15 km and was ordered to go further 150 km by evening.

After the attack, before dawn, the fleet had to rapidly cover a distance of 150 km. Was asked to return, so that the fleet would be out of reach of Pakistani. The attack was also carried out from Russia’s Osa missile boat. The first attack under Operation Trident was carried out by Nichol, Nirghat and Veer missile boats. All the boats were equipped with four missiles each. Babru Bhan Yadav himself was present on the tackle boat. First PNS Khyber, then PNS Challenger and PNS Muhafiz were destroyed by missiles and submerged in water. After this attack, the Pak Navy became alert. He started surveillance day and night around the port of Karachi with small planes.

Karachi Oil Depot, which was burning for seven days, the flames of the Karachi Oil Depot could be seen even from a distance of 60 kms. As soon as the operation was over, Indian naval officer Vijay Jarath sent a message, ‘For pigeons happy in the nest. Rejoining.’ To this, he got the answer, ‘F15 se to destruction: we have not seen this good Diwali till date’. The fire at Karachi’s oil depot could not be doused for seven days and seven nights.