Thread by @SadaaShree

#TodayInHistory Operation Trident takes place during the 1971 War when the Indian Navy carries out a surprise raid on Karachi port, dealing a devastating blow to the Pakistani Navy. This date is observed as #NavyDay annually.

The 1971 War was where the Indian Navy came into it's own and played a major part, unlike 1962, 1965 that were primarily land and air based. It was one of the finest hours of the Indian Navy to date. #NavyDay

The 1971 War, started on December 3, 1971, when the Pakistani air forced, launched Operation Chengiz Khan, a series of pre emptive attacks on the Indian air force bases in Pathankot, Agra, Ambala, that fortunately did not cause any major damage.

Operation Trident started on the same date, as did the Battle of Longewala and the Battle of Basantar, two major conflicts that titled the balance in India’s favor. #NavyDay

So why Karachi?

It was Pakistan’s major sea port, and also one of the busiest and deepest in Asia. Around 60% of the cargo was handled here, as well as being in close proximity to the Strait of Hormuz. #NavyDay

And in 1971, Pakistani Navy, had its Head office in Karachi, as well as it’s entire fleet there. Since it was the center of the maritime trade, any blockade of the port would have had disastrous effects on Pakistan’s economy. #NavyDay

Now unlike the 1965 War, the Indian Navy was fully equipped and prepared, and the commanders of the Pakistani Navy knew this fact very well. They could not launch an offensive at deep sea against the India Navy, nor prevent it’s encroachment. #NavyDay

Also around November 23, the Navy deployed 3 Vidyut class near Okha for patrolling. When the war officially broke out, the Western Naval Command decided to form a strike group which included these 3 Vidyut class missile boats. #NavyDay

And soon the Karachi Strike Group was formed with the 3 Vidyut class boats- INS Nipat(K86), INS Nirghat(K89) and INS Veer(K82). Each was armed with 4 Soviet made SS-N-2B Styx SSM( Surface to Surface Missiles), with a range of 40 nautical miles. #NavyDay

These were backed up by 2 Arnala class anti submarine corvettes-INS Kiltan and INS Katchali, and a fleet tanker INS Poshak. #NavyDay

The operation was under the command of Cmdr Babru Bhan Yadav, from Rewari in Haryana,a graduate of BHU and Commander of 25th Missile Boat Squadron. His father Major Bhagwan Singh Yadav, had earlier distinguished himself in the Indian Army, and fought in both the World Wars.

The entire operation was masterminded by the then chief of Naval Staff, S.M.Nanda who had then played a crucial role in modernizing the Navy, and also changing the focus from defense to attack. There is a pretty good book on him and the Operation.

While the planning and implementation was carried out by Captain G.M.Hirachandani, who was regarded as one of the finest strategists in the Indian Navy. #NavyDay #NavyDay2022

Dec 4, 1971

The strike group reached Karachi, and maintained it’s position outside the surveillance range. The plan was to attack during dusk, as the Pakistani Air Force did not have night bombing capability. #NavyDay

10:30 PM, PST- The strike group moves 180 Nautical Miles, towards South of Karachi and soon the Pakistani warships were detected. #NavyDay

10:45 PM- INS Nirghat made the first strike, firing it’s Styx missile at PNS Khaibar, a battle class destroyer. The missile hit the right side, causing an explosion in the boiler room. Nirghat fired again, hitting on the starboard side, eventually sinking the ship killing 222.

11 PM- INS Nirpat fired two Styx Missiles, one each at cargo vessel MV Venus Challenger and another at PNS Shahjahan, a C class destroyer. Venus Challenger that was carrying ammunition, exploded immediately and sunk, while Shah Jahan was badly damaged. #NavyDay

Meanwhile INS Nirpat continued towards the harbor, and targeted the Kemari oil storage tanks. One of the missiles hit the tanks, that were totally destroyed, causing a massive fuel shortage for the Pakistani army. #NavyDay #NavyDay2020

It was a disaster for the Pakistani Navy, with 3 ships sunk, one badly damaged, and it’s fuel storage tanks destroyed. Though the Pakistani Air Force, retaliated by bombing Okha harbor, the Indian Navy had moved it’s missile boats to more secure locations. #NavyDay

However one fuel tank was destroyed, putting all operations on hold till Operation Python launched 3 days later. With zero casualties on the Indian side, this is considered as the most successful naval operation, post World War II. #NavyDay

December 4 is observed as #NavyDay every year to commemorate Operation Trident. A victory that was a result of perfect planning, coordination, professionalism. Salute the heroes.

The heroes of Operation Trident

S.M.Nanda- The chief of Naval Staff.

Babru Bhan Yadav- The Commander was awarded the Mahavir Chakra.

G.M.Hiranandani- Nausena Medal for the operational planning. He would later become the Vice Admiral.

#NavyDay #SaluteTheHeroes

Also Lt Cmdr Bahadur Kavina( INS Nipat), Lt Cmdr Inderjit Sharma( INS Nirghat) and Lt Cmdr Om Prakash Mehta, the COs were given the Veer Chakras. #NavyDay2020

After Operation Trident, had caught them napping, the Pakistan Navy stepped up aerial surveillance along the coast. Some of the Pakistani Naval ships, mingled with merchant ships to fool the Indian Navy too.

In the meantime, the Pakistani air force had made an attack on Okha harbor,hitting the fuelling facilities for missile boats and an ammunition dump. The Indian Navy had however moved the missile boats to a safer location, anticipating the strike. #NavyDay

Also while Trident was a success, the Indian Navy could not hit the main targets, the fuel storage facilities in Karachi. This was due to confusion betwen the COs of the 3 missile boats- Veer, Nipat and Nirghat.

And also mistaking tracer fire from coastal artillery, as that of the Pakistani aircraft, making them retreat hurriedly. It was keeping in mind these events that Operation Python was launched.

December 8-9, 1971, 10 PM PST

A small strike group approached approached Manora, a small peninsula located just South of Karachi port. INS Vinash(K85) a Vidyut Class Missile Boat was the one the led the attack on Karachi in Operation Python, along with INS Talwar and INS Trishul

INS Trishul and INS Talwar were both multipurpose anti submarine frigates of the Whitby class, sourced from the British Navy. Basically fast convoy escorts capable of tackling submarines. A Pakistani patrol vessel had an encounter with the ships and was sunk. #NavyDay

At 11 AM, the strike force detects a batch of ships around 12 nautical miles away( approximately 22 km). Vinash immediately fired 4 of it’s missiles, one struck the Kemari Oil tanks, causing a massive explosion, while another struck a Panamian fuel tanker, SS Gulf Star. #NavyDay

The other 2 missiles struck the warship PNS Dacca and a British merchant vessel SS Harmattan. Both SS Gulf Star and Harmattan sank, while the Dacca was badly damaged beyond repair. The Pakistan Navy was effectively crippled now.

Pakistan’s fuel reserves were totally affected with the blowing up of the Kemari oil tanks, giving the Indian Navy full control over the route between Karachi and the Persian Gulf. The West Coast was fully secured now. Lt Cdr Vijai Jerath of INS Vinash was awarded Veer Chakra.

More than anything Operation Trident and Python between them destroyed over 50% of total fuel requirements of Karachi Harbor. With most of the oil reserves, ammunition depots destroyed, both the Pakistani Navy and Air Force were totally at a loss. #NavyDay

The damage was not just physical , the Pakistani Navy was completely demoralized by the twin attacks of Trident and Python. Ships were ordered to reduce their ammunition dumps, not to venture out to sea, yes that is how you create fear in the enemy. #NavyDay

Through Python and Trident, the Indian Navy effectively lorded it over the Arabian Sea. Neutral Merchant vessels going to Karachi had to seek a safe passage, to avoid attacks. And Pakistan had to suffer a naval blockade, which wud be a critical factor in winning the ’71 war.

This is the first in a series of threads and posts on the 1971 War, would be sharing more ahead, please keep checking. #NavyDay #1971War

My article on Operation Trident on occasion of #NavyDay #1971War
historyunderyourfeet.wordpress.com/2018/12/04/ope…