From Operation Trident To INS Vikrant - How The Indian Navy Helped Defeat Pakistan In 1971

On December 16, 1971, the war between India and Pakistan came to an end. Pakistan signed the surrender and their 90,000 troops laid down their arms in front of the Indian forces in what was now known as Bangladesh. After around 2 weeks of fighting, our forces triumphed over the neighbours.

The war was fought on two fronts and that proved to be Pakistan's disadvantage as they could not back their forces up in the East as they were occupied in the West. Bangladesh was liberated and Pakistan was cut in half.

While the Army and Air Force are commended for their success beyond enemy lines, the contribution of the Navy is often overlooked. But in reality, the Navy made dents in the early stages of the war which effectively broke Pakistan's back so to speak.

Indian Internet

Operation Trident

Operation Trident on December 4 was an attack in the dead of the night by the Indian Navy on Karachi harbour. The destruction caused by the missile boats was something Pakistan was not ready for. They expected an air attack and had made arrangements accordingly. What they did not expect was for us to attack from the sea. December 4 is now hailed as our Navy Day.

Operation Python

Operation Python was launched 3 days later and that completed the destruction of Karachi port. Pakistan's trade and naval base was heavily crippled which made it advantage India in a war that went one way.

INS Vikrant

Of course, since we are talking of the Navy, who can forget INS Vikrant? The aircraft carrier was a fortress in the Bay of Bengal and acted as a naval blockade. Pakistani ships could not get past it to provide supplies to their troops making them effectively cut off from the west. Since supplies could not be delivered by air or sea due to India being in the middle, the sea was the only option and Vikrant proved to be a thorn in the flesh.

Indian Navy

PNS Ghazi sinking

The sinking of PNS Ghazi was another telling blow to Pakistan by our Navy. While Pakistan maintains it was due to the submarine going on one of their own mines, some versions say it may have been a blast in the boiler room. But as far as we are concerned, the Indian Navy sank it and the pride of Pakistan's Navy going out of the equation turned the tables even further in our favour.

So the Indian Navy had its role to play in the 1971 war. The battles being fought above and under the waters were just as crucial to hammering the final nails in Pakistan's coffin. This was the 3rd war since Independence and we maintained our 100% record. The next one would come in 1999 in Kargil. And yes you guessed right, we would win that one too.