India Navy Day is observed every year on December 4 to honour the Indian Navy’s role in protecting India’s maritime interests. The day also pays tribute to the naval forces who sacrificed their lives during the Pakistan War in 1971. The historic day marked the anniversary of Operation Trident.
Operation Trident played a crucial role during the India-Pakistan War in 1971. This operation, which was carried out by Indian Naval forces, shows the strength of the maritime forces and their importance and contributions to the country’s defence. Learn about Operation Trident in detail and its impact, which are mentioned below.
Navy Day 2024 – Combat Ready, Credible, Cohesive and Future Ready Force; Safeguarding National Maritime Interests – Anytime – Anywhere’. Join us in the celebrations & witness #OpDemo spectacle at Blue Flag Beach Puri, Odisha. #IndianNavy #NavyDay2024 #AtmanirbharBharat #SAGAR pic.twitter.com/hDP6fkq0Nk
— Defence PRO Visakhapatnam (@PRO_Vizag) December 4, 2024
What is Operation Trident?
Operation Trident was a naval operation carried out by the Indian Navy during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 in Pakistan’s port city of Karachi. When Pakistan declared a national emergency on November 23, amidst the war, the Indian Navy deployed three Vidyut-class missile boats in Okha near Karachi so that they could easily carry out patrols, and General Sam Manekshaw, the Chief of Army Staff gave Prime Minister Indira Gandhi paper on which he wrote the date on which India will go to war with Pakistan which was on December 4.
But, on December 3, when Pakistan attacked India and bombed nine Indian airfields. In response to the aggressive attack, the maritime forces made a plan and launched “Operation Trident” on the nights of December 4 and 5 in 1971. Five Navy missile boats attacked Pakistan’s Karachi port.
Indian Navy Day 2024
Indian Navy missiles boats that served in the Indo-Pakistan War
INS Nirghat, a Vidyut-class missile boat of the Indian Navy, fired Styx missiles (anti-ship missiles) at the Pakistani destroyer PNS Khaibar, which was destroyed and damaged. INS Nipat, also a Vidtyut-class missile boat that served in the 19721 war, fired Styx missiles at the C-class destroyer PNS Shah Jahan and the cargo vessel MV Venus Challenger, which sank after its ammunition exploded.
#NavyDay2024
Best wishes to@indiannavy on this day. A spectacular Op Demo will be witnessed by Hon’ble President today.
This is how sanctity of Forces Days is upheld by adhering to their actual date for celebrations. Traditions have to be followed & preserved. pic.twitter.com/rD4ppHdmuS
— BN Sharma, IG BSF (Retd) (@BholaNath_BSF) December 4, 2024
Operation Python
Meanwhile, INS Veer (Vidyut class missile boat) attacked the PNS Muhafiz and killed 33 Pakistani sailors. After the successful mission, the Indian Navy also carried out Operation Python on December 8 and 9. This time, the maritime forces attacked the port again, resulting in Pakistan’s partial naval blockade.
INS Vinash (Vidyut-class missile) fired four Styx anti-ship missiles at Karachi on December 9, 1971, and hit their targets. The operation, which was carried out by the Indian Navy in the port of Karachi, destroyed numerous ships, and it affected Pakistan’s navy and economy.
