Thread by @LestWeForgetIN

#Remembering1971
#LestWeForgetIndia🇮🇳 the gallantry & supreme sacrifice of @indiannavy #IndianBraves Capt M N Mulla #MahaVirChakra (P), & crew of 18 Officers & 176 sailors of #INSKhukri that went down in action during #IndoPakWar1971 off Diu, #OnThisDay 09 Dec in 1971

Capt Mulla was commanding the 14th anti submarine sqn, a task force which formed part of the Western Fleet.
The sqn consisted of the INS Khukri (F149), INS Kirpan (F144) & INS Kuthar (F146). The sqn was tasked to hunt & destroy enemy submarines in the North Arabian Sea

At 2050 hours on 09 December 1971, INS Khukri, was hit by a torpedo fired by an enemy submarine, PNS Hangor, about 64 kms off Diu.

Capt Mulla issued orders for the ship to be abandoned because it was sinking.
Without regard to his own personal safety, the Capt supervised arrangements for the rescue of his ship’s crew in a very cool, calm and methodical manner.

Even at a later stage whilst the ship was sinking, Capt Mulla showed presence of mind and continued to direct rescue operations and refused to save himself by giving his own life saving gear to a sailor.

Having directed as many of his men as possible to leave the ship, Capt Mulla went back to the bridge to see what further rescue operations could he performed.

In doing so, #IndianBrave Capt Mulla was last seen going down with his ship.

#LestWeForgetIndia🇮🇳 Captain Mahendra Nath Mulla displayed conspicuous gallantry and dedication and was awarded the #MahaVirChakra posthumously.
The #IndianBrave Naval officer was the first #IndianNavy personnel to be conferred with the #MVC