Nagpur: The 46th Navy Day was celebrated at Officers Mess, Maintenance Command , Nagpur. Navy Day is observed annually to celebrate the Indian Navy’s achievements and commemorate the sacrifice made by the Naval Personnel. The specificity of 4th Dec holds an underlying story of the forces valour that brought victory for India in 1971 war against Pakistan. The event commenced with a presentation on Naval initiative, planning and execution of operation Trident and operation Python. Cdr S Suseendranathan(Retd) Ex Commanding Officer of Killer Squadron brought out how the sword arm of the Indian Navy at Headquarters Western Naval Command brilliantly conceptualised and meticulously executed a valiant attack on 3rd and 4th December on Pakistani Naval Forces at Karachi harbour.
The date commemorates the launch of operation Trident a devastating attack on Pakistan in Naval assets at Karachi harbour during the 1971 war. During the attack the three missile two anti-submarine ships and a tanker commenced the initiative. Around 2 pm on 4th Dec 71 Naval ships sailed from okhs port in Gujrath 40 miles south of Karachi. At around 10 pm INS Nipat, engaged two enemy warhsips. INS Nirghat fired two P-15Us missiles and sank Pakistani destroyer INS Khaiber. Meanwhile INSP NIpat fired missiles and sank merchant ship MV Venus Challenger which was carrying ammunition for the Pakistan army and Air Force. INS Nipat then targeted an oil depot in Karach harbour and setting it ablaze. Navy Celebrated Diwaly on 4th Dec 71. In the mean time INS Veer fired missiles at Pakistani minesweeper Muhafiz and sinking it with the entire crew. In 90 minutes Indian Navy fired 06 P-15U missiles and destroyed the Karachi’s oil storage facility. During return to mumbai to Mongrol one sailor climbed up the missile container on INS Nipat and wrote “Killers” on it in red paint. The suadron was there after christened as “The Killers”.
Cdr S Suseendranathan(Retd) further brought out that today Navy has a advanced Nuclear submarine Arihant and an aircraft arrier INS Vikramaditya. Navy has now inducted the first woman officer in the flying branch and Naval Armament Inspection cadre also.
During the commemorative address AVM GS Sandhu, VSM brought out that Indian Navy has been maintainint its traditions since Chtrapati SHivaji’ Maharaj’s time. Today’s navy is a multidimensional force which can operate in air, onwater and underwater. He extended warm greetings to all the serving and retired Naval personnel and their families stationed at Nagpur. Major General IJS Hundal, Commandant NCC OTA, Kamptee also extended warm greetings to the Naval fraternity located at Nagpur. Cdr S Suseendranathan(Retd) appreciated the efforts of Commander PP Joshi in the impressive conduct of all the programs for Navy day at Nagpur.
The subsequent activities progressed with the live performance by Air Force Band and a commemorative Dinner. The event was attended by the senior officers from maintenance command, senior defence officers from various defence establishments at Nagpur. The event was hosted by Naval Armament Inspectorate, Nagpur, a unit Headquarters Western Naval Command Mumbai.
