Why in News?
India observes Navy Day on 4 December to commemorate Operation Trident, a naval strike on Karachi harbour during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.
Description:
- War situation escalated after Pakistan Air Force pre-emptive strikes on Indian airfields (Dec 3, 1971).
- India declared war on Dec 4, triggering naval operations on the western front.
Features of Operation Trident:
- Surprise night attack on Karachi harbour on 4 December 1971.
- Missile Boats Used: INS Kiltan, Katchall, Nipat, Nirghat, and Veer.
- Severely crippled Pakistan’s fuel reserves and naval capability.
- India suffered zero casualties in this operation.
- Indian mission received the code word ‘Angaar’ after success.
- Cdr. (later Vice Admiral) J. S. Kohli planned and led the operation as Western Fleet C-in-C.
Follow-up Operation:
Operation Python (8 December 1971):
- Launched to inflict further damage on Karachi harbour.
- Pakistan Navy vessels reportedly ventured out with decreased ammunition to reduce blast risk.
Outcome of the 1971 Naval Front:
- Continuous attacks on Karachi weakened Pakistan’s western naval command.
- Pakistan signed the Instrument of Surrender on 16 December 1971 (Lt Gen A. A. K. Niazi; overseen by Lt Gen J. S. Aurora).
- Operation Trident remains the signature naval victory in Indian military history.
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