Operation Trident: The Inferno that Burnt Karachi, Led to India’s Victory in the 1971 War

Almost 50 years ago in December 1971, India launched two successive attacks codenamed Op Trident and Op Python which destroyed nearly the entire Pakistani fleet at the Karachi Harbour-the headquarters of the Pakistan Navy and left behind oil fields that burned for almost a week in the biggest bonfire, at the Arabian Sea. To celebrate this victory India celebrates December 4 as Navy Day

By Neeraj Mahajan

Admin Indian Navy

On December 3, 1971, the Indo-Pak War officially began after Pakistan attacked Indian airfields along the border. On the night of December 4–5, 1971, the Indian Navy launched Operation Trident an offensive operation and sank four Pakistani ships including PNS Khaibar a former British destroyer (formerly designated as HMS Cadiz or D79) acquired by Pakistan in 1956, PNS Shah Jahan (a destroyer), PNS Muhafiz (a minesweeper) and MV Venus Challenger a cargo vessel.

 

INS Nirghat, INS Nipat, and INS Veer – three warships of the Indian Navy, played an important role in the operation which led to the destruction of almost the entire Pakistani fleet based at the Karachi Harbour, which was heavily defended against any air or naval strikes.

Operation Trident for the first time saw the use of anti-ship missiles in combat. At 2150 hrs on 4 December, the Indian Navy fleet under the command of Commander Babru Bhan Yadav, Commanding officer of the 25th Missile Boat Squadron spotted PNS Khaibar. INS Nirghat escorted by INS Katchall and INS Kiltan – two anti-submarine corvettes and INS Poshak a fleet tanker fired two Styx surface-to-surface missiles which hit the target and Khaibar went down with most of its 222 sailors still on board.

 

Operation Trident inflicted heavy damage on Pakistani vessels and facilities in Karachi – the headquarters of the Pakistan Navy as well as the hub of Pakistan’s maritime trade. Pakistan also lost PNS Muhafiz – a minesweeper, and MV Venus Challenger a cargo vessel carrying ammunition, while India suffered no losses.

 
On the night of December 4–5, 1971, – three Indian Naval warships INS Nirghat, INS Nipat, and INS Veer as a part of Operation Trident attacked Karachi harbour and sank four Pakistani ships including PNS Khaibar a destroyer, PNS Shah Jahan (a destroyer), PNS Muhafiz (a minesweeper) and MV Venus Challenger a cargo vessel

Meanwhile, INS Nipat fired two Styx missiles –at MV Venus Challenger and its escort PNS Shah Jahan, a C-class destroyer. MV Venus Challenger which was carrying ammunition for the Pakistani forces exploded and sank 23 nm south of Karachi, while PNS Shah Jahan was severely damaged and had to be scrapped. Around the same time, INS Veer fired a missile which struck PNS Muhafiz, an Adjutant-class minesweeper on the left side, behind the bridge. It sank immediately before it could transmit a distress call, with over 33 sailors on board.

 

In the meantime, INS Nipat proceeded towards Karachi and fired two missiles – one of which hit and completely destroyed the Kemari oil storage tanks and refinery at the Karachi Harbour.

Pakistan Air Force retaliated by bombing Okha Port, near Dwarka in the Indian state of Gujarat. But the Indians were prepared and had already moved their missile boats to prevent any damage.

After the operation, the Pakistan Armed Forces were put on high alert. But the Indian naval attack at Karachi harbour had left such an impact on their mind that on December 6, 1971 a Pakistan Navy Fokker Friendship reconnaissance aircraft, incorrectly reported the presence of a Pakistan Navy frigate as an Indian Navy missile boat. As a result, the fighter jets of Pakistan Air Force scrambled and strafed the vessel which was later identified as PNS Zulfiqar – a Pakistan Navy frigate. But in the process there were casualties and the vessel too suffered considerable damage in the friendly fire.

Operation Trident for the first saw the use of anti-ship missiles in combat. At 2150 hrs on 4 December, the Indian 25th Missile Boat Squadron under the command of Commander Babru Bhan Yadav spotted PNS Khaibar and fired two Styx surface-to-surface missiles as a result PNS Khaibar went down with its 222 sailors on board

Op Trident is considered one of the most successful and daring operations in modern naval history after World War II. There were zero casualties on the Indian side in the operation. To honour the gallantry deeds in the operation – a number of Indian Navy personnel were awarded gallantry awards including Captain (later Vice Admiral) Gulab Mohanlal Hiranandani, the Fleet Operations Officer, who was awarded the Nau Sena Medal for operational planning. Cdr Babru Bhan Yadav, the strike group commander was awarded Maha Vir Chakra for boldly leading his men into action. Likewise, Lieutenant Commander Bahadur Nariman Kavina who was the commanding officer of INS Nipat, Lieutenant Commander (later Commodore) Inderjit Sharma the Commanding Officer of INS Nirghat — who joined the Navy as a sailor in 1954 and by virtue of his hard work and determination became a commissioned officer in September 1960, and Lieutenant Commander Om Prakash Mehta commanding officer of INS Veer, and Master Chief M. N. Sangal (INS Nirghat) were awarded Vir Chakra.

To celebrate the victory in this operation, India celebrates December 4 as Navy Day.

To mark the 50th anniversary of the success of the 22nd Missile Vessel Squadron, also known as the Killer Squadron which delivered a decisive blow to the Pakistan Navy by destroying the Karachi harbour in the 1971 war as a part of Operation Trident was awarded the prestigious President’s Standard by President Ram Nath Kovind on December 8, 2021.

The President’s Standard is the highest honour to a military unit in recognition of the service rendered to the nation, by the President of India who happens to be the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces. To mark the occasion, a Special Day Cover and a commemorative stamp were released by the Postal Department.

According to a statement issued by the Indian Navy, the 22nd Missile squadron has been in the thick of action even in modern times. Being the tip of the Sword Arm of the Indian Navy, the battle-ready Missile Vessel Squadron has participated in Operation Vijay, Operation Parakram and most recently, during the heightened security state following the Pulwama attack deployed within striking distance of Pakistan coast.

Op Trident is considered one of the most successful and daring operations in modern naval history after World War II. To honour their deeds– Capt (later Vice Admiral) Hiranandani, Cdr Babru Bhan Yadav, as well as the commanding officers of INS Nipat, INS Nirghat and INS Veer were awarded gallantry medals

On the night of December 8/9, 1971 almost three days after Operation Trident – India once again launched a naval attack on Karachi under the code name of Operation Python.

In this operation on the night of December 8/9, 1971 INS Vinash, along with INS Talwar and INS Trishul, two frigates, launched four Styx missiles, sinking PNS Dacca a Pakistani Naval Fleet Tanker. Two foreign ships including SS Harmattan a British merchant vessel sank while SS Gulf Star a Panamanian fuel tanker was also damaged beyond repair in the operation. The Fuel and ammunition depots at Karachi which stocked more than fifty per cent of the total fuel requirement of the Karachi zone worth more than $3 billion were destroyed.

Lieutenant Commander Vijai Jerath, the commanding officer of Vinash, was awarded the Vir Chakra for this operation.

In his autobiography ‘The Man Who Bombed Karachi,’ Admiral Sardarilal Mathradas Nanda, who was the Chief of the Naval Staff during the 1971 war, describes the missile attacks on the ships at Karachi harbour and subsequent burning of its oil fields for almost a week as the biggest bonfire in the Arabian Sea.

Even after the Operation was over, Pakistan Navy was so disheartened that it ordered its ships not to manoeuvre out at sea, especially during the night, unless specifically ordered to do so. The Pakistan Air Force was also affected by the loss of fuel.

-The writer is a seasoned media professional with over three decades of experience in print, electronic, and web media. He is presently Editor of Taazakhabar News