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Shortest war in the history of India
The Indo-Pak 1971 war – an Indian Naval perspective.
The shortest war, and the most successful Indian naval mission with no Indian casualties.
The date was 3rd December 1971, the time approximately 5.40 pm IST, after failed attempts by PM Indira Gandhi to gather support for Bangaldesh from the United Nation, and specifically President Nixon, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) launched its eleven pre-emptive air strikes, named ‘Operation Chengis Khan’, targeting north-western India. On the same evening, PM Indira Gandhi announced that this act was a declaration of war, and Indian Air Force retaliated with an attack, on that very same evening. This act started, what will be known as the shortest war in the history, lasting all of thirteen days, the Indo-Pak war of 1971, where the Indian armed forces launched a huge coordinated effort in assaulting Pakistan from air, land and seas.
The Indian Naval Headquarters (NHQ), in Delhi as well as the Western Naval Command planned an offensive attack against the weak Pakistan Naval army, deciding to attack the Karachi port. The mission was to block the Pakistan naval vessels from moving towards Chittagong port, and ensuring maximum damage in Karachi port, hitting its oil refineries. Chittagong port in Bangaldesh, was already blocked by INS Vikrant, and the other Eastern Command fleet, ready for action. The attack was planned in several stages, where the first strike group comprising of three Vidyut-class missile boats, INS Nirghat, INS Nipat and INS Veer would launch the first surface to surface missiles. These missile boats were carrying four Soviet made missiles with a range of 48 nautical miles, and were being led by Squadron Commander, B.B. Yadav, of the 25th Missile Boat Squadron. This operation was coined, ‘Operation Trident’. The three missile boats along with the Western fleet vessels, who had air and under-water attack and counter-attack capabilities, would depart for Karachi on 3rd December 1971, under the cover of darkness. Due to their limited fuel capacity, the three missile boats were towed by the Western Command boats, towards their target, port of Karachi. The support vessels towed them up to 250 nautical miles, short of Karachi port. The Indians were aware that the Pakistanis had no night radar tracking or night-bombing capabilities, and used this knowledge to their advantage, ensuring the attack took place between dusk and dawn. At approximately, 120 nautical miles from Karachi, the three missile boats, in a sector formation, were in position to initiate the attack, and had identified their targets. This was a landmark event – it was the first time in the Indian naval history that surface-to-surface missiles were being launched from the sea ! At 10.40 pm, Commander B.B. Yadav, gave INS Nirghat, the maiden honour of launching the first of her four missiles, from a range of 26 nautical miles, towards a destroyer, PNS Khaiber. When the missile was 10 nautical miles away, PNS Khaiber, mistakenly assumed that it was an Indian air-strike, and engaged her anti-aircraft system, and within minutes, she was hit. The first missile struck PNS Khaiber on her stern, flooding her with smoke. The ship, immediately sent an emergency signal to the Pakistan Naval Headquarters (PNHQ), but reported incorrect co-ordinates, resulting in a delayed rescue. On observing their target was still afloat, Cmdr. Yadav granted permission for the second missile to be fired – hitting the very centre of the ship - and this missile served its purpose- sinking the ship, along with its 200-odd sailors, in three minutes. After a successful opening, INS Nirghat was ordered to retreat, and moved in a pre-determined position, to be guarded by INS Kiltan. The mantle was taken up by INS Nipat, when Cmdr. Yadav, at approximately 11.00 pm, gave the orders to launch their first missile towards destroyer PNS Venus Challenger, who was carrying arms and ammunition, and she exploded and sank immediately. The second target hit, was PNS Shah Jahan, and she suffered very heavy damages. INS Nipat, on orders, quickly fired her remaining missiles towards the Kemari oil storage tanks, and hit the oil tanks, causing massive fuel fire, and thereby, shortage for the Pakistanis. Tasting success, INS Nipat returned to the safety of INS Kiltan. INS Veer joined in the fun, and attacked one of the several minesweepers lined up. One of her missiles hit PNS Muhafiz, and she sank immediately, before she could send an emergency signal. INS Veer also hit the fuel storage tanks inside the Karachi port. The attacks culminated in destroying few enemy ships, causing fuel-infused fire and fuel shortage – and several human casualties at the Karachi port. INS Veer, too, joined her sister ships, and the three fearsome sisters, at around 2.30 am reached their pre-determined positions to report back home. Cmdr. Yadav informed the fleet commander (FOCF), Admiral Kuruvilla about the mission’s success and their consequent return. INS Veer, on the return journey, suffered an engine malfunction, and reported this to her sister ships, pleading them to continue onwards, while her engines were repaired, and eventually rejoined them. The returning warriors, quickly moved 250 nautical miles, in international waters, and towards home. Operation Trident was a resounding success with no Indian casualties.
To avenge the loss of INS Khukri, the first submarine kill since WW II, where 194 Indian sailors perished, and to continue its devastating run, another attack was planned on the night of 8th and 9th December. Two Vidyut-class missile boats, INS Vijeta and INS Vinash, along with the Western Fleet support left for Karachi. The target, this time was the oil storage facilities in Karachi, that were still operational despite the success of Operation Trident. On route to their target, Cmdr. Parthy, of INS Vijeta reported the loss of one of their engines, and was, sadly, asked to report back to the pavilion. Undaunted, Cmdr. Jerath, took over the reins and proceed with the plan. INS Vinash, also suffered engine troubles, but Cmdr Jerath's spirit and patriotism knew no bounds, he refused to back out and the mission was put in hold, till her engines were restored. The strategy was to hit any Pakistani vessels that would be visible along the Karachi port, and damage the oil refineries. After Operation Trident, a demoralized Pakistani naval force, feeling the pressure, ensured no ships were available in the attacking zone. Lone bird, INS Vinash, took the daring step of launching all her four missiles at the Kemari oil refineries, at the heart-stopping close distance of 12 nautical miles! The missiles hit the target, and some more – standing close by were SS Gulf, Paksitani Naval fleet tanker, PNS Dacca and British vessel, SS Harmattan. The missiles, damaged PNS Dacca, beyond repair and sank the other two. But the feather in the cap was the Kemari Oil Farms. The missile hit them where it hurt the most – and the fire they caused was instantaneous, ferocious and uncontrollable. The intensity of the fire was such that it was visible from 35-40 nautical miles off Karachi port, and it took almost one week for it to be brought under control. When Cmdr. Jerath informed the Indian Naval Headquarters (NHQ) about the operation’s success, the headquarters’ responded by saying, ”This will be called Vinash’s Diwali!”. This operation, coined ‘Operation Python’, like its name, struck Karachi port where it hurt the most and taking away what Pakistani Navy needed the most – its fuel.
Another operation, was planned on the night of 14th and 15th December 1971, where three Vidyut-class missile boats, INS Nashak, INS Nirbheet, and the now back to business, INS Vijeta were on stand-by. But before it could be initiated, there were rumours of Pakistan surrendering, and on 16th December 1971, Pakistan surrendered to India. The patriotic fire in the heart of the commander of IN$ Nirbheet, was such, that despite getting the orders to cancel, he pleaded with the communication officer, urging him to pretend the cancellation message was never received! All they wanted was their chance to continue the work of the previous missions, and spread the reign of terror.
The Indian naval hostile operations, Trident and Python, caused massive damages to Karachi’s fuel and ammunition depots, approximately fifty percent of the much-needed fuel was destroyed – and this was an economically crippling blow to Pakistani, where most of its oil reserves ammunition warehouses, and workshops were destroyed, an estimated $3 billion loss. The loss was not restricted only to the Pakistani Navy but the lack of fuel also impaired functionality of the Pakistani Air force.
Indian naval forces, with its immense might, strategic planning, and innovative methods brought Pakistani naval forces to its knees. To prevent Pakistani eavesdropping on their secure communication, the Indian Naval officers, for the duration of their missions, communicated in Russian! This is dedicated, with intelligence. And to honour all those who have in any way aided or supported the missions, whether in action, or in administrative duties, the Indian Navy decided that 4th December, henceforth will be called ‘Navy Day’, and all the sailors who participated will go down in history, and be named as the ‘Killer Squadron’. I salute all the unsung heroes of the Indian Navy, present and past, where honour and courage resides in the hearts of all, and like the theme of the indian Navy, this year, they are ‘Silent, Strong and Swift’.
Jai Hind!
Sources: internet and Wikipedia, and interviews with the involved parties.
© Natasha Sharma
The shortest war, and the most successful Indian naval mission with no Indian casualties.
The date was 3rd December 1971, the time approximately 5.40 pm IST, after failed attempts by PM Indira Gandhi to gather support for Bangaldesh from the United Nation, and specifically President Nixon, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) launched its eleven pre-emptive air strikes, named ‘Operation Chengis Khan’, targeting north-western India. On the same evening, PM Indira Gandhi announced that this act was a declaration of war, and Indian Air Force retaliated with an attack, on that very same evening. This act started, what will be known as the shortest war in the history, lasting all of thirteen days, the Indo-Pak war of 1971, where the Indian armed forces launched a huge coordinated effort in assaulting Pakistan from air, land and seas.
The Indian Naval Headquarters (NHQ), in Delhi as well as the Western Naval Command planned an offensive attack against the weak Pakistan Naval army, deciding to attack the Karachi port. The mission was to block the Pakistan naval vessels from moving towards Chittagong port, and ensuring maximum damage in Karachi port, hitting its oil refineries. Chittagong port in Bangaldesh, was already blocked by INS Vikrant, and the other Eastern Command fleet, ready for action. The attack was planned in several stages, where the first strike group comprising of three Vidyut-class missile boats, INS Nirghat, INS Nipat and INS Veer would launch the first surface to surface missiles. These missile boats were carrying four Soviet made missiles with a range of 48 nautical miles, and were being led by Squadron Commander, B.B. Yadav, of the 25th Missile Boat Squadron. This operation was coined, ‘Operation Trident’. The three missile boats along with the Western fleet vessels, who had air and under-water attack and counter-attack capabilities, would depart for Karachi on 3rd December 1971, under the cover of darkness. Due to their limited fuel capacity, the three missile boats were towed by the Western Command boats, towards their target, port of Karachi. The support vessels towed them up to 250 nautical miles, short of Karachi port. The Indians were aware that the Pakistanis had no night radar tracking or night-bombing capabilities, and used this knowledge to their advantage, ensuring the attack took place between dusk and dawn. At approximately, 120 nautical miles from Karachi, the three missile boats, in a sector formation, were in position to initiate the attack, and had identified their targets. This was a landmark event – it was the first time in the Indian naval history that surface-to-surface missiles were being launched from the sea ! At 10.40 pm, Commander B.B. Yadav, gave INS Nirghat, the maiden honour of launching the first of her four missiles, from a range of 26 nautical miles, towards a destroyer, PNS Khaiber. When the missile was 10 nautical miles away, PNS Khaiber, mistakenly assumed that it was an Indian air-strike, and engaged her anti-aircraft system, and within minutes, she was hit. The first missile struck PNS Khaiber on her stern, flooding her with smoke. The ship, immediately sent an emergency signal to the Pakistan Naval Headquarters (PNHQ), but reported incorrect co-ordinates, resulting in a delayed rescue. On observing their target was still afloat, Cmdr. Yadav granted permission for the second missile to be fired – hitting the very centre of the ship - and this missile served its purpose- sinking the ship, along with its 200-odd sailors, in three minutes. After a successful opening, INS Nirghat was ordered to retreat, and moved in a pre-determined position, to be guarded by INS Kiltan. The mantle was taken up by INS Nipat, when Cmdr. Yadav, at approximately 11.00 pm, gave the orders to launch their first missile towards destroyer PNS Venus Challenger, who was carrying arms and ammunition, and she exploded and sank immediately. The second target hit, was PNS Shah Jahan, and she suffered very heavy damages. INS Nipat, on orders, quickly fired her remaining missiles towards the Kemari oil storage tanks, and hit the oil tanks, causing massive fuel fire, and thereby, shortage for the Pakistanis. Tasting success, INS Nipat returned to the safety of INS Kiltan. INS Veer joined in the fun, and attacked one of the several minesweepers lined up. One of her missiles hit PNS Muhafiz, and she sank immediately, before she could send an emergency signal. INS Veer also hit the fuel storage tanks inside the Karachi port. The attacks culminated in destroying few enemy ships, causing fuel-infused fire and fuel shortage – and several human casualties at the Karachi port. INS Veer, too, joined her sister ships, and the three fearsome sisters, at around 2.30 am reached their pre-determined positions to report back home. Cmdr. Yadav informed the fleet commander (FOCF), Admiral Kuruvilla about the mission’s success and their consequent return. INS Veer, on the return journey, suffered an engine malfunction, and reported this to her sister ships, pleading them to continue onwards, while her engines were repaired, and eventually rejoined them. The returning warriors, quickly moved 250 nautical miles, in international waters, and towards home. Operation Trident was a resounding success with no Indian casualties.
To avenge the loss of INS Khukri, the first submarine kill since WW II, where 194 Indian sailors perished, and to continue its devastating run, another attack was planned on the night of 8th and 9th December. Two Vidyut-class missile boats, INS Vijeta and INS Vinash, along with the Western Fleet support left for Karachi. The target, this time was the oil storage facilities in Karachi, that were still operational despite the success of Operation Trident. On route to their target, Cmdr. Parthy, of INS Vijeta reported the loss of one of their engines, and was, sadly, asked to report back to the pavilion. Undaunted, Cmdr. Jerath, took over the reins and proceed with the plan. INS Vinash, also suffered engine troubles, but Cmdr Jerath's spirit and patriotism knew no bounds, he refused to back out and the mission was put in hold, till her engines were restored. The strategy was to hit any Pakistani vessels that would be visible along the Karachi port, and damage the oil refineries. After Operation Trident, a demoralized Pakistani naval force, feeling the pressure, ensured no ships were available in the attacking zone. Lone bird, INS Vinash, took the daring step of launching all her four missiles at the Kemari oil refineries, at the heart-stopping close distance of 12 nautical miles! The missiles hit the target, and some more – standing close by were SS Gulf, Paksitani Naval fleet tanker, PNS Dacca and British vessel, SS Harmattan. The missiles, damaged PNS Dacca, beyond repair and sank the other two. But the feather in the cap was the Kemari Oil Farms. The missile hit them where it hurt the most – and the fire they caused was instantaneous, ferocious and uncontrollable. The intensity of the fire was such that it was visible from 35-40 nautical miles off Karachi port, and it took almost one week for it to be brought under control. When Cmdr. Jerath informed the Indian Naval Headquarters (NHQ) about the operation’s success, the headquarters’ responded by saying, ”This will be called Vinash’s Diwali!”. This operation, coined ‘Operation Python’, like its name, struck Karachi port where it hurt the most and taking away what Pakistani Navy needed the most – its fuel.
Another operation, was planned on the night of 14th and 15th December 1971, where three Vidyut-class missile boats, INS Nashak, INS Nirbheet, and the now back to business, INS Vijeta were on stand-by. But before it could be initiated, there were rumours of Pakistan surrendering, and on 16th December 1971, Pakistan surrendered to India. The patriotic fire in the heart of the commander of IN$ Nirbheet, was such, that despite getting the orders to cancel, he pleaded with the communication officer, urging him to pretend the cancellation message was never received! All they wanted was their chance to continue the work of the previous missions, and spread the reign of terror.
The Indian naval hostile operations, Trident and Python, caused massive damages to Karachi’s fuel and ammunition depots, approximately fifty percent of the much-needed fuel was destroyed – and this was an economically crippling blow to Pakistani, where most of its oil reserves ammunition warehouses, and workshops were destroyed, an estimated $3 billion loss. The loss was not restricted only to the Pakistani Navy but the lack of fuel also impaired functionality of the Pakistani Air force.
Indian naval forces, with its immense might, strategic planning, and innovative methods brought Pakistani naval forces to its knees. To prevent Pakistani eavesdropping on their secure communication, the Indian Naval officers, for the duration of their missions, communicated in Russian! This is dedicated, with intelligence. And to honour all those who have in any way aided or supported the missions, whether in action, or in administrative duties, the Indian Navy decided that 4th December, henceforth will be called ‘Navy Day’, and all the sailors who participated will go down in history, and be named as the ‘Killer Squadron’. I salute all the unsung heroes of the Indian Navy, present and past, where honour and courage resides in the hearts of all, and like the theme of the indian Navy, this year, they are ‘Silent, Strong and Swift’.
Jai Hind!
Sources: internet and Wikipedia, and interviews with the involved parties.
© Natasha Sharma
