Navy Day 2021: Marking the successful ‘Operation Trident’

Today we see greetings and wishes flowing from political and social sphere, as we Indians look back at the bold mark Indian Navy made in the history with its successful Operation Trident, inflicting heavy damage on Pakistani vessels, during the Indo-Pak war of 1971. President Kovind, who is the supreme commander of the Indian Armed forces took on to twitter to greet all Indians saying, “On Navy Day, greetings to all Navy personnel, veterans and their families.

Besides safeguarding maritime security and protecting our interests in the sea, our Navy also played a stellar role in coping with the COVID-19 related crises. Indians remain grateful for your service”. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also shared his pride towards Navy, calling navy an “outstanding force”, protecting the nation.

Operation Trident was a major game changer not just in the war of 1971, but also for the Indian navy who had been carrying the baggage of its past war. With Pakistan air force launching grave offensives in western India, India responded by officially declaring a war by launching the operation Trident in which Indian navy sank three vessels near the Pakistani post of Karachi.

With Britain stopping its supply of modern warships after 1965, India turned towards its friend Soviet Union in a cold war atmosphere which supplied it with Osa/Vidyut class missile boat which became the star of the mission.

In this mission, INS Kiltan, Katchall, Nipat, Nighat and Veer sank PNS Khaibar killing 222 Pakistani sailors. This mission ended in success with the Indian Navy’s Western C-in-C, Vice Admiral SN Kohli receiving the code word, “Angaar”.

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Updated by Preet Joshi