India¡¯s maritime history dates back 6,000 years when the seas were used to navigate for trade. Then around 5 AD the Chola kings used their navy to conquer Java and Sumatra. Post Independence, India realised the importance of a strong naval force and the Indian Navy has since helped strengthen India¡¯s influence in the South Asian region.
On Navy Day today, here are some stories of the Navy¡¯s operations over the years, that have made it a force to reckon with.
Indian Navy
Goa was liberated from the Portuguese in 1961 and the Indian Navy played a crucial role in the operation. On December 18th, Indian Navy ships INS Betwa and INS Beas entered Marmugao harbour and attacked the only Portuguese ship in the vicinity, Afonso de Albuquerque. 50 minutes later, under heavy fire from the Indian ships, the Portuguese abandoned ship and any hopes of a fight back. The Afonso was captured and renamed Saravastri.
Indian Navy
A decade later, in the war against Pakistan, Indian Navy came into its own and dealt a decisive blow to Karachi harbour. Op Trident, an attack on Karachi was planned for December 4, and Indian Navy strike group of INS Nirghat, INS Nipat and INS Veer moved towards their target under the cover of darkness. Nirghat fired a total of two missiles at Pakistani ship PNS Khaibar, sinking it to the bottom of the ocean. Nipat fired two missiles at PNS Shah Jahan and cargo ship Venus Challenger. INS Veer targeted PNS Muhafiz and sank it with one missile hit. The Nipat carried on towards the harbour and fired two more missiles. Only one hit the target but destroyed the Kemari oil storage tankers causing fuel shortage for Pakistani Navy.
Indian Navy
Four days later Op Python pretty much crippled Pakistan Navy and any ability to retaliate. Missile boat INS Vinash and frigates INS Talwar and Trishul headed towards Karachi. At 23:00 hrs, Vinash fired its missiles at Kemari oil tankers and caused a huge explosion. Pakistani ship PNS Dacca was also hit by a missile and badly damaged. The financial losses due to the burning of oil and ammunition were pegged at around $3 billion. Pakistani Navy¡¯s morale sank with its ships and civilian vessels completely stopped approaching the waters because of the Indian Navy attack. Karachi blockade was successful and played an important role in India¡¯s victory.
Indian Navy
The Indian Navy not only takes part in military operations and exercises but also provides relief in times of need. During the Yemen crisis of 2015 after Saudi intervention, not just Indian citizens but also the nationals of 41 other countries were stranded. Indian Navy, along with the Indian Air Force, undertook one of the most important relief operations of recent times.
INS Sumitra patrol vessel was tasked with the evacuation of civilians from Yemen to Djibouti from where the IAF C-17 could fly them to safety. Sumitra reached Aden on March 31st and evacuated first 349 Indians to safety. It was joined by INS Mumbai and INS Tarkash and the three ships evacuated 3,074 people to safety.