Mohan Narayan Rao Samant - Revision history

Bot: robot: Create/update articles. If there is a mistake please report on my talk page.

2022-10-02T09:54:36Z

robot: Create/update articles. If there is a mistake please report on my talk page.

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:24, 2 October 2022
Line 1:		Line 1:
	{{distinguish\|Mohan Samant}}		{{distinguish\|Mohan Samant}}
	{{Use Indian English\|date=February ~~2022~~}}		{{Use Indian English\|date=February 2017}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=January ~~2022~~}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=January 2020}}
	{{Infobox military person		{{Infobox military person
	\| honorific_prefix = [[Captain (naval)\|Captain]]		\| honorific_prefix = [[Captain (naval)\|Captain]]
Line 40:		Line 40:

	== Early life ==		== Early life ==
	Samant was born in 1930.<ref name="Harper">{{Cite web\|url=https://harperbroadcast.com/2019/04/01/harpercollins-india-brings-you-the-untold-story-of-operation-x/\|title=HarperCollins India brings you the untold story of Operation X\|last=Broadcast\|first=Harper\|date=1 April 2019\|language=en\|access-date=23 November ~~2022~~}}</ref> His domicile was [[Pune]], [[Maharashtra]].<ref name="award" />		Samant was born in 1930.<ref name="Harper">{{Cite web\|url=https://harperbroadcast.com/2019/04/01/harpercollins-india-brings-you-the-untold-story-of-operation-x/\|title=HarperCollins India brings you the untold story of Operation X\|last=Broadcast\|first=Harper\|date=1 April 2019\|language=en\|access-date=23 November 2019}}</ref> His domicile was [[Pune]], [[Maharashtra]].<ref name="award" />

	== Career ==		== Career ==
	In 1969, Samant was appointed by the [[Indian Navy]] as the commissioning Commanding Officer of the submarine ''[[INS Karanj (S21)\|INS Karanj]]''.<ref name="print" /><ref name="firstpost" />		In 1969, Samant was appointed by the [[Indian Navy]] as the commissioning Commanding Officer of the submarine ''[[INS Karanj (S21)\|INS Karanj]]''.<ref name="print" /><ref name="firstpost" />

	In 1971, he became an officer attached to the [[Eastern Naval Command]] of the [[Indian Navy]]. During this tenure, his involvement in covert operations started. In April 1971, before the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]] started, the Naval Commando Operations (X) began training more than 400 Bengali college students and eight submariners as marine-warfare soldiers to carry out covert operations inside the erstwhile [[East Pakistan]]. The soldiers trained to swim with [[limpet mine]]s and use them to destroy Pakistani shipping.<ref name="print" /> Samant was involved in this training process,<ref name="print">{{Cite news\|url=https://theprint.in/theprint-profile/captain-samant-decorated-naval-officer-behind-sinking-of-pakistani-shipping-fleets-in-1971/208800/\|title=Captain Samant, decorated naval officer behind sinking of Pakistani shipping fleets in 1971\|last=Dutta\|first=Amrita Nayak\|date=21 March 2019\|work=The Print\|access-date=23 November ~~2022~~}}</ref> being the Staff Officer, G1 of the Naval Commando Operations (X).<ref name="Harper" />		In 1971, he became an officer attached to the [[Eastern Naval Command]] of the [[Indian Navy]]. During this tenure, his involvement in covert operations started. In April 1971, before the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]] started, the Naval Commando Operations (X) began training more than 400 Bengali college students and eight submariners as marine-warfare soldiers to carry out covert operations inside the erstwhile [[East Pakistan]]. The soldiers trained to swim with [[limpet mine]]s and use them to destroy Pakistani shipping.<ref name="print" /> Samant was involved in this training process,<ref name="print">{{Cite news\|url=https://theprint.in/theprint-profile/captain-samant-decorated-naval-officer-behind-sinking-of-pakistani-shipping-fleets-in-1971/208800/\|title=Captain Samant, decorated naval officer behind sinking of Pakistani shipping fleets in 1971\|last=Dutta\|first=Amrita Nayak\|date=21 March 2019\|work=The Print\|access-date=23 November 2019}}</ref> being the Staff Officer, G1 of the Naval Commando Operations (X).<ref name="Harper" />

	=== Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971 ===		=== Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971 ===
Line 61:		Line 61:

	=== First Chief of Bangladesh Navy ===		=== First Chief of Bangladesh Navy ===
	Samant subsequently became the first temporary [[Chief of Naval Staff (Bangladesh)\|Chief of Naval Staff]] of the newly created [[Bangladesh Navy]] and was awarded the 'Friend of Liberation war' honour.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="firstpost" /> He remained chief till early 1972 when he was succeeded by [[Nurul Huq (Captain)\|Nurul Huq]].<ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/1971-war-hero-dies/746317.html\|title=1971 war hero dies\|date=21 March 2019\|work=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)\|The Tribune]]\|access-date=24 November ~~2022~~}}</ref>		Samant subsequently became the first temporary [[Chief of Naval Staff (Bangladesh)\|Chief of Naval Staff]] of the newly created [[Bangladesh Navy]] and was awarded the 'Friend of Liberation war' honour.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="firstpost" /> He remained chief till early 1972 when he was succeeded by [[Nurul Huq (Captain)\|Nurul Huq]].<ref>{{Cite news\|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/1971-war-hero-dies/746317.html\|title=1971 war hero dies\|date=21 March 2019\|work=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)\|The Tribune]]\|access-date=24 November 2019}}</ref>

	==Later life and death==		==Later life and death==
	Samant retired on 22 July 1974.<ref>{{cite news \|title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) \|page=562 \|date=19 April 1975 \|publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> He died after a [[cardiac arrest]] at the age of 89 on 20 March 2019 at 11.53 AM in the Arogya Nidhi Hospital located in the suburbs of [[Mumbai]]. He was accorded a military funeral.<ref name="firstpost">{{Cite web\|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/a-1971-bangladesh-war-hero-fades-away-quietly-6393751.html\|title=A 1971 Bangladesh war hero fades away, quietly\|date=5 April 2019\|website=[[Firstpost]]\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725210835/https://www.firstpost.com/india/a-1971-bangladesh-war-hero-fades-away-quietly-6393751.html\|archive-date=25 July 2019\|access-date=23 November ~~2022~~}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web\|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/1971-bangladesh-war-hero-captain-mn-samant-dies/386424\|title=1971 Bangladesh war hero captain MN Samant dies\|date=21 March 2019\|website=[[Times Now]]\|language=en\|access-date=23 November ~~2022~~}}</ref>		Samant retired on 22 July 1974.<ref>{{cite news \|title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) \|page=562 \|date=19 April 1975 \|publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> He died after a [[cardiac arrest]] at the age of 89 on 20 March 2019 at 11.53 AM in the Arogya Nidhi Hospital located in the suburbs of [[Mumbai]]. He was accorded a military funeral.<ref name="firstpost">{{Cite web\|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/a-1971-bangladesh-war-hero-fades-away-quietly-6393751.html\|title=A 1971 Bangladesh war hero fades away, quietly\|date=5 April 2019\|website=[[Firstpost]]\|url-status=dead\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725210835/https://www.firstpost.com/india/a-1971-bangladesh-war-hero-fades-away-quietly-6393751.html\|archive-date=25 July 2019\|access-date=23 November 2019}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web\|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/1971-bangladesh-war-hero-captain-mn-samant-dies/386424\|title=1971 Bangladesh war hero captain MN Samant dies\|date=21 March 2019\|website=[[Times Now]]\|language=en\|access-date=23 November 2019}}</ref>

	== Maha Vir Chakra ==		== Maha Vir Chakra ==
	Samant was awarded the [[Maha Vir Chakra]], India's second-highest gallantry award, in 1971.		Samant was awarded the [[Maha Vir Chakra]], India's second-highest gallantry award, in 1971.

	The citation for the [[Maha Vir Chakra]] reads as follows:<ref name="award">{{Cite web\|url=https://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/mohan-narayan-rao-samant\|title=MOHAN NARAYAN RAO SAMANT {{!}} Gallantry Awards\|website=gallantryawards.gov.in\|access-date=23 November ~~2022~~}}</ref><ref name="Harper"/><ref>{{cite web \|title=Mahavir Chakra (MVC), Awardee: Capt Mohan Narayan Rao Samant, MVC (retd) @ TWDI \|url=http://twdi.in/node/1469 \|website=twdi.in}}</ref>		The citation for the [[Maha Vir Chakra]] reads as follows:<ref name="award">{{Cite web\|url=https://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/mohan-narayan-rao-samant\|title=MOHAN NARAYAN RAO SAMANT {{!}} Gallantry Awards\|website=gallantryawards.gov.in\|access-date=23 November 2019}}</ref><ref name="Harper"/><ref>{{cite web \|title=Mahavir Chakra (MVC), Awardee: Capt Mohan Narayan Rao Samant, MVC (retd) @ TWDI \|url=http://twdi.in/node/1469 \|website=twdi.in}}</ref>
	{{Quotation\|Gazette Notification: 18 Pres/72,12-2-72		{{Quotation\|Gazette Notification: 18 Pres/72,12-2-72
	Operation: 1971 Cactus Lily		Operation: 1971 Cactus Lily

Bot: robot: Create/upgrade articles. If there is a mistake please report on my talk page.

2022-10-02T09:54:36Z

robot: Create/upgrade articles. If there is a mistake please report on my talk page.

New page

{{distinguish|Mohan Samant}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Infobox military person
| honorific_prefix = [[Captain (naval)|Captain]]
| name = M N R Samant
| honorific_suffix = [[Maha Vir Chakra|MVC]]
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = 1930
| birth_place =
| death_date = {{death date|df=yes|2019|03|20}}
| death_place =
| nickname =
| resting_place =
| resting_place_coordinates =
| residence =
| allegiance = {{flagicon|India}} [[Republic of India]]
| branch = [[File:Naval Ensign of India.svg|20px]] [[Indian Navy]]
| serviceyears =
| servicenumber = 00124-F<ref name="award"/>
| rank = [[File:10-Indian_Navy-CAPT.svg|20px]] [[File:British_Royal_Navy_(sleeves)_OF-5.svg|20px]] [[Captain (naval)|Captain]]
| other_names =
| awards = [[File:Maha Vir Chakra ribbon.svg|20px]] [[Maha Vir Chakra]]
| unit = 
| education =
| alma_mater =
| battles = [[Bangladesh Liberation War]]
| employer =
| occupation =
| home_town =
| title =
| spouse =
| children =
}}

[[Captain (naval)|Captain]] '''Mohan Narayan Rao Samant''', [[Maha Vir Chakra|MVC]] (1930 – 20 March 2019) was an officer of the [[Indian Navy]], who was awarded with the [[Maha Vir Chakra]], India's second-highest war-time gallantry award. Samant played an important role in the [[covert operation]] called [[#Operation X|Naval Commando Operation X]], which was instituted in 1971 during the [[Bangladesh Liberation War]]. Samant had also served as the first [[commanding officer]] of the [[submarine]] [[INS Karanj (S21)|INS ''Karanj'']] after being appointed to that post in 1969. After the 1971 war ended, he became the first temporary [[Chief of Naval Staff (Bangladesh)|Chief of Naval Staff]] of the newly-created [[Bangladesh Navy]].

== Early life ==
Samant was born in 1930.<ref name="Harper">{{Cite web|url=https://harperbroadcast.com/2019/04/01/harpercollins-india-brings-you-the-untold-story-of-operation-x/|title=HarperCollins India brings you the untold story of Operation X|last=Broadcast|first=Harper|date=1 April 2019|language=en|access-date=23 November 2022}}</ref> His domicile was [[Pune]], [[Maharashtra]].<ref name="award" />

== Career ==
In 1969, Samant was appointed by the [[Indian Navy]] as the commissioning Commanding Officer of the submarine ''[[INS Karanj (S21)|INS Karanj]]''.<ref name="print" /><ref name="firstpost" />

In 1971, he became an officer attached to the [[Eastern Naval Command]] of the [[Indian Navy]]. During this tenure, his involvement in covert operations started. In April 1971, before the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]] started, the Naval Commando Operations (X) began training more than 400 Bengali college students and eight submariners as marine-warfare soldiers to carry out covert operations inside the erstwhile [[East Pakistan]]. The soldiers trained to swim with [[limpet mine]]s and use them to destroy Pakistani shipping.<ref name="print" /> Samant was involved in this training process,<ref name="print">{{Cite news|url=https://theprint.in/theprint-profile/captain-samant-decorated-naval-officer-behind-sinking-of-pakistani-shipping-fleets-in-1971/208800/|title=Captain Samant, decorated naval officer behind sinking of Pakistani shipping fleets in 1971|last=Dutta|first=Amrita Nayak|date=21 March 2019|work=The Print|access-date=23 November 2022}}</ref> being the Staff Officer, G1 of the Naval Commando Operations (X).<ref name="Harper" />

=== Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971 ===
==== Operation X ====
Operation X was a covert operation run by the Indian Navy during the [[Bangladesh Liberation War]] of 1971. It involved attacking the vulnerable maritime shipping associated with [[East Pakistan]] to cutoff logistics and supplies to Pakistani forces in East Pakistan, thereby easing the advance of the [[Indian Army]]. The operation involved the marine-warfare soldiers trained by Samant and his colleagues preceding the War.<ref name="firstpost" /><ref name="print" />

Only three Naval officers and the Indian Prime Minister had the full knowledge of the operation. Commander Samant (who later became a Captain) was one of them and was responsible for the field execution of Operation X. The other two officers were Admiral [[SM Nanda]], then chief of the Indian Navy, and Captain [[M. K. Roy]], then director of India's [[Directorate of Naval Intelligence (India)|Naval Intelligence]].<ref name="firstpost" />

Damage or complete destruction was inflicted on about 60,000 tonnes of shipping during [[Operation Jackpot]], which was executed by 176 soldiers under the leadership of Samant.<ref name="firstpost" />

Overall, the operation resulted in around 100,000 tonnes of logistical and supply shipping being sunk or damaged;<ref name="print" /><ref name="firstpost" /> the operation emerged as the largest covert maritime operation in history, being bigger than those which were undertaken during the [[Vietnam War]] and [[World War II]].<ref name="firstpost" />

==== Other engagements ====
Captain Samant led an attack involving three gunboats on Pakistani ships on the [[Pasur River|Pussur River]] during the period between 7–10 December 1971. Two of the boats were lost to friendly fire from the [[Indian Air Force]]. Samant rescued survivors and continued the attack.<ref name="print" />

=== First Chief of Bangladesh Navy ===
Samant subsequently became the first temporary [[Chief of Naval Staff (Bangladesh)|Chief of Naval Staff]] of the newly created [[Bangladesh Navy]] and was awarded the 'Friend of Liberation war' honour.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="firstpost" /> He remained chief till early 1972 when he was succeeded by [[Nurul Huq (Captain)|Nurul Huq]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/1971-war-hero-dies/746317.html|title=1971 war hero dies|date=21 March 2019|work=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]]|access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref>

==Later life and death==
Samant retired on 22 July 1974.<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=562 |date=19 April 1975 |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> He died after a [[cardiac arrest]] at the age of 89 on 20 March 2019 at 11.53 AM in the Arogya Nidhi Hospital located in the suburbs of [[Mumbai]]. He was accorded a military funeral.<ref name="firstpost">{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/a-1971-bangladesh-war-hero-fades-away-quietly-6393751.html|title=A 1971 Bangladesh war hero fades away, quietly|date=5 April 2019|website=[[Firstpost]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725210835/https://www.firstpost.com/india/a-1971-bangladesh-war-hero-fades-away-quietly-6393751.html|archive-date=25 July 2019|access-date=23 November 2022}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/1971-bangladesh-war-hero-captain-mn-samant-dies/386424|title=1971 Bangladesh war hero captain MN Samant dies|date=21 March 2019|website=[[Times Now]]|language=en|access-date=23 November 2022}}</ref>

== Maha Vir Chakra ==
Samant was awarded the [[Maha Vir Chakra]], India's second-highest gallantry award, in 1971.

The citation for the [[Maha Vir Chakra]] reads as follows:<ref name="award">{{Cite web|url=https://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/mohan-narayan-rao-samant|title=MOHAN NARAYAN RAO SAMANT {{!}} Gallantry Awards|website=gallantryawards.gov.in|access-date=23 November 2022}}</ref><ref name="Harper"/><ref>{{cite web |title=Mahavir Chakra (MVC), Awardee: Capt Mohan Narayan Rao Samant, MVC (retd) @ TWDI |url=http://twdi.in/node/1469 |website=twdi.in}}</ref>
{{Quotation|Gazette Notification: 18 Pres/72,12-2-72
Operation: 1971 Cactus Lily
Date of Award: 1971

{{center|1='''CITATION'''<br>
'''COMMANDER MOHAN NARAYAN RAO SAMANT (00124-F)'''<br>

Commander Mohan Narayan Rao Samant was the Senior Officer of a Force consisting of Craft, which carried out most daring and highly successful attacks on the enemy in Mongla and Khulna Ports. Maneuvering his Squadron through a most hazardous and unfamiliar route, Commander Samant achieved complete surprise and routed the enemy in Mongla inflicting very heavy losses. Commander Samant then proceeded to attack Khulna to destroy the enemy entrenched in strength in the port. A bitter fight ensued in which the force was subjected to incessant air attacks. Two boats belonging to the Mukti Bahini operating with the Force were sunk. In utter disregard of his personal safety, the officer not only managed to pick up a large number of the survivors but persisted with fierce attacks on the enemy with devastating results. Commander Samant had a number of narrow escapes, but refused to withdraw to safer waters. By his personal example and high qualities of leadership, Commander Samant inspired his men to rise to the occasion and fight most gallantly.

Throughout the operations, Commander Mohan Narayan Rao Samant displayed conspicuous gallantry, dedication and leadership.}}|sign=|source=}}

== Books ==
Samant has co-authored the book ''[[Operation X: The Untold Story of India's Covert Naval War in East Pakistan]]'' with Sandeep Unnithan.<ref name="Harper"/>

== See also ==
* [[Bangladesh Liberation War]]
* [[Mukti Bahini]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-mil}}
{{s-bef|before=First Holder}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Chief of Naval Staff (Bangladesh)]]|years=1971–1972}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Nurul Huq (Captain)|Nurul Huq]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1930 births]]
[[Category:2019 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Kangra district]]
[[Category:People of the Bangladesh Liberation War]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Maha Vir Chakra]]
[[Category:Indian Navy officers]]