Operation Trident (1971)
Operation Trident | |||||||
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Part of Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
India | Pakistan | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
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CC )(FOC-in-C Western Naval Command) | ||||||
Units involved | |||||||
Indian Navy | Pakistan Navy | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
| Ships deployed off the coast of Karachi | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
None |
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Operation Trident was an
Background
In 1971, the Port of Karachi housed the headquarters of the Pakistan Navy, and almost its entire fleet was based in Karachi Harbour. Since Karachi was also the hub of Pakistan's maritime trade, a blockade would be disastrous for Pakistan's economy. The security of Karachi Harbour was predominant to the Pakistani High Command, and it was heavily defended against any air or naval strikes. The strike aircraft based at airfields in the area secured the port's airspace.[1]
Towards the end of 1971, there were rising tensions between India and Pakistan, and after Pakistan declared a national emergency on 23 November, the
Operation
Prelude
The Indian Naval Headquarters (NHQ) in Delhi, along with the Western Naval Command, planned to attack the Port of Karachi. A strike group under Western Naval Command was formed for this mission. This strike group was to be based around the three Vidyut-class missile boats already deployed off the coast of Okha. However, these boats had limited operational and radar range, and to overcome this difficulty, it was decided to assign support vessels to the group.[3]
On 4 December, what was now designated as the Karachi Strike Group was formed and consisted of the three Vidyut-class missile boats:
Attack
As planned, on 4 December, the strike group reached 250 nautical miles (460 km; 290 mi) (nmi) south off the coast of Karachi and maintained its position during the day, outside the surveillance range of the
After verifying two targets in the area northwest of Karachi, at 11.00 pm (PKT), INS Nipat fired two Styx missiles – one each at cargo vessel MV Venus Challenger and its escort PNS Shah Jahan, a C-class destroyer. Venus Challenger, carrying ammunition for the Pakistani forces, exploded immediately after the missile hit and eventually sank 23 nmi (43 km; 26 mi) south of Karachi. The other missile targeted Shah Jahan and damaged the ship very badly. At 11.20 pm (PKT), PNS Muhafiz, an Adjutant-class minesweeper, was targeted by INS Veer. A missile was fired, and Muhafiz was struck on the left side, behind the bridge.[3] It sank immediately before it could send a signal to the PNHQ,[3] killing 33 sailors.[5]
Meanwhile, INS Nipat continued towards Karachi and targeted the Kemari oil storage tanks, placing itself 14 nmi (26 km; 16 mi) south of the Karachi Harbour. Two missiles were launched; one misfired, but the other hit the oil tanks, which burned and were destroyed completely, causing a Pakistani fuel shortage. The task force returned to the nearest Indian ports.[3]
Soon, the PNHQ deployed rescue teams on patrol vessels to recover the survivors of Khaibar. As Muhafiz sank before it could transmit a distress call, the Pakistanis only learned of its fate from its few survivors who were recovered when a patrol vessel steered towards the ship's burning flotsam.[3]
Aftermath
The Pakistan Air Force retaliated for these attacks by bombing Okha Port, scoring direct hits on fuelling facilities for missile boats, an ammunition dump, and the missile boats' jetty.[6] The Indian Navy anticipated this attack and had already moved the missile boats to other locations to prevent any losses. However, the destruction of a special fuel tank prevented further incursions until Operation Python, executed three days later.[7]
As a result of the operation, the Pakistan Armed Forces were put on high alert. The deployments raised several false alarms in the ensuing days about the presence of Indian Navy vessels off Karachi. One such false alarm was raised by a Pakistan Navy
With no casualties on the Indian side, this operation was considered[by whom?] to be one of the most successful in modern naval history post-World War II. To mark this victory, the Indian Navy annually celebrates Navy Day on 4 December.[1]
Awards
Several Indian Navy personnel were honoured with gallantry awards for the operation. Then Fleet Operations Officer,
See also
- INS Khukri
- Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
- Operation Searchlight
- Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts
- Indo-Pakistani Naval War of 1971
- List of ships sunk by missiles
References
- ^ a b c "In 1971, The Indian Navy Attempted One of the World's Most Daring War Strategies on Karachi". Scoop Whoop. 9 July 2016. Archived from the original on 9 December 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
- ^ Hiranandani, G. M. "40 Years Since Operation Trident". Indian Defence Review. Archived from the original on 17 February 2017. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Commander Neil Gadihoke. "40 Years Since Operation Trident". SP's Naval Forces. Archived from the original on 21 November 2016. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
- ^ a b Kuldip Singh Bajwa. "How west was won". The Tribune. Archived from the original on 30 June 2017.
- ^ Captain S. M. A. Hussaini. "Illustrations: Trauma and Reconstruction 1971–1980". PAF Falcons. Archived from the original on 30 August 2011. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
- ^ "Indo-Pakistani War of 1971". Global Security. Archived from the original on 26 November 2016. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
- ^ Sqn Ldr Shuaib Alam Khan (May 1998). "The Fighter Gap 2". Defence Journal. Archived from the original on 1 January 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
- ^ "Chapter-42". www.indiannavy.nic.in. 24 February 2012. Archived from the original on 24 February 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2023.