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{{Short description|Offensive launched by India against Pakistan}}
{{good article}}
{{EngvarB|date=January 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox military conflict
|conflict=Operation Trident
|partof=[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]
|image= Map of Karachi Naval Blockade in 1971-en.jpg
|caption=
|date=4–5 December 1971
|place=[[Arabian Sea]], {{convert|14|–|17|nmi}} south of the Port of [[Karachi]], Pakistan.
|territory=
|result=Strategic Indian naval victory and partial naval blockade on Pakistan.
|combatant1={{flag|India}}
|combatant2={{flag|Pakistan}}
|units1={{navy|India}}
|units2={{navy|Pakistan}}
|commander1=*[[Admiral]] [[Sardarilal Mathradas Nanda|S. M. Nanda]] ([[Chief of the Naval Staff (India)|CNS]])
*[[Vice Admiral]] [[Sourendra Nath Kohli]] (FOC-in-C [[Western Naval Command]])
*[[Commander]] [[Babru Bhan Yadav]] (Commander, Karachi Strike Group)
*Commanding Officers of the ships engaged
|commander2=*Commanding Officers of the ships engaged
|strength1= *Three {{sclass|Vidyut|missile boat|1}}s
*Two {{sclass|Arnala|corvette|0}} [[anti-submarine]] [[corvette]]s
*One [[fleet tanker]]
|strength2= Ships deployed off the coast of Karachi
|casualties1=None
|casualties2=*1 [[destroyer]] sunk
*1 [[minesweeper]] sunk
*1 cargo ship sunk
*1 [[destroyer]] badly damaged, scrapped as result
*Karachi harbour fuel storage tanks destroyed
|notes=
}}
{{Campaignbox Indo-Pakistani War of 1971}}
'''Operation Trident''' was an [[Offensive (military)|offensive operation]] launched by the [[Indian Navy]] on Pakistan's port city of [[Karachi]] during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]. Operation Trident saw the first use of [[anti-ship missile]]s in combat in the region. The operation was conducted on the night of 4–5 December and inflicted heavy damage on Pakistani vessels and facilities. While India suffered no losses, Pakistan lost a [[minesweeper]], a [[destroyer]], a cargo vessel carrying ammunition, and fuel storage tanks in Karachi. Another destroyer was also badly damaged and eventually scrapped. India celebrates its [[Navy Day]] annually on 4 December to mark this operation. Trident was followed up by [[Operation Python]] three days later.

==Background==
In 1971, the [[Port of Karachi]] housed the headquarters of the [[Pakistan Navy]] and almost its entire fleet was based in [[Karachi Harbour]]. Since Karachi was also the hub of Pakistan's maritime trade, a blockade would be disastrous for Pakistan's economy. The security of Karachi Harbour was predominant to the Pakistani High Command and it was heavily defended against any air or naval strikes. The port's airspace was secured by the strike aircraft based at airfields in the area.<ref name="In 1971">{{cite web|title=In 1971, The Indian Navy Attempted One of the World's Most Daring War Strategies on Karachi|url=https://www.scoopwhoop.com/In-1971-The-Indian-Navy-Attemped-One-Of-The-Worlds-Most-Daring-War-Strategies-On-Karachi/|website=Scoop Whoop|access-date=20 November 2016|date=9 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161209141754/https://www.scoopwhoop.com/In-1971-The-Indian-Navy-Attemped-One-Of-The-Worlds-Most-Daring-War-Strategies-On-Karachi/|archive-date=9 December 2016}}</ref>

Towards the end of 1971, there were rising tensions between India and Pakistan, and after Pakistan declared a national emergency on 23 November, the [[Indian Navy]] deployed three {{sclass|Vidyut|missile boat}}s in the vicinity of [[Okha, India|Okha]], near Karachi, to carry out patrols. As the Pakistani fleet would also be operating in the same waters, the Indian Navy set a demarcation line which ships in their fleet would not cross. Later this deployment proved to be useful for gaining experience in the region's waters. On 3 December, after Pakistan attacked Indian airfields along the border, the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]] officially began.<ref name="40 Years Since Operation Trident">{{cite web|author1=Hiranandani, G. M.|title=40 Years Since Operation Trident|url=http://www.indiandefencereview.com/interviews/1971-war-the-first-missile-attack-on-karachi/|website=Indian Defence Review|access-date=20 November 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217084537/http://www.indiandefencereview.com/interviews/1971-war-the-first-missile-attack-on-karachi/|archive-date=17 February 2017}}</ref>{{primary source inline|date=December 2021}}

==Operation==
===Prelude===
The Indian Naval Headquarters (NHQ) in Delhi, along with the [[Western Naval Command]], planned to attack the Port of Karachi. A strike group under Western Naval Command was formed for this mission. This strike group was to be based around the three ''Vidyut''-class missile boats already deployed off the coast of Okha. However, these boats had limited operational and radar range and to overcome this difficulty, it was decided to assign support vessels to the group.<ref name="40 Years Since Operation Trident -SPNF"/>

On 4 December, what was now designated as the Karachi Strike Group was formed and consisted of the three ''Vidyut''-class missile boats: {{INS|Nipat|K86|6}}, {{INS|Nirghat|K89|6}} and {{INS|Veer|K82|6}}, each armed with four Soviet made [[P-15 Termit|SS-N-2B Styx]] [[surface-to-surface missile]]s with a range of {{convert|40|nmi}}, two {{sclass|Arnala|corvette|0}} [[anti-submarine]] [[corvette]]s: {{INS|Kiltan|P79|6}} and {{INS|Katchall|P81|6}}, and a [[fleet tanker]], {{INS|Poshak}}. The group was under the command of [[Commander]] [[Babru Bhan Yadav]], the commanding officer of the [[List of Indian Navy bases|25th Missile Boat Squadron]].<ref name="40 Years Since Operation Trident -SPNF">{{cite web|author1=Commander Neil Gadihoke|title=40 Years Since Operation Trident|url=http://www.spsnavalforces.com/story.asp?mid=28&id=7|website=SP's Naval Forces|access-date=21 November 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161121115735/http://www.spsnavalforces.com/story.asp?mid=28&id=7|archive-date=21 November 2016}}</ref><ref name="How west was won - Tribune India" />

===Attack===
As planned, on 4 December, the strike group reached {{convert|250|nmi}} (nmi) south off the coast of Karachi, and maintained its position during the day, outside the surveillance range of the [[Pakistan Air Force]]. As Pakistani aircraft did not possess [[night-bombing]] capabilities, it was planned that the attack would take place between dusk and dawn.<ref name="How west was won - Tribune India">{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040111/spectrum/book1.htm|title=How west was won|author=Kuldip Singh Bajwa|website=The Tribune|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630124832/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040111/spectrum/book1.htm|archive-date=30 June 2017}}</ref> At 10.30 pm [[Pakistan Standard Time]] (PKT), the Indian task group moved {{convert|180|nmi|abbr=on}} from its position towards the south of Karachi. Soon Pakistani targets, identified as warships, were detected {{convert|70|nmi|abbr=on}} to the northwest and northeast of the Indian warships.<ref name="40 Years Since Operation Trident -SPNF" />

INS ''Nirghat'' drove forward in a northwesterly direction and fired its first Styx missile at {{ship|PNS|Khaibar|1956|6}}, a Pakistani {{sclass2|Battle|destroyer|2}}. ''Khaibar'', assuming it was a missile from Indian aircraft, engaged its [[anti-aircraft]] systems. The missile hit the right side of the ship, exploding below the galley in the electrician's mess deck at 10.45 pm (PKT). This led to an explosion in the first boiler room. Subsequently, the ship lost propulsion, and was flooded with smoke. An emergency signal that read: "Enemy aircraft attacked in position 020 FF 20. No. 1 boiler hit. Ship stopped", was sent to Pakistan Naval Headquarters (PNHQ). Due to the chaos created by the explosion, the signal contained the wrong coordinates of the ship's position. This delayed rescue teams from reaching its location. Observing that the ship was still afloat, ''Nirghat'' fired its second missile hitting ''Khaibar'' in the second boiler room on the ship's starboard side, eventually sinking the ship<ref name="40 Years Since Operation Trident -SPNF" /> and killing 222 sailors.<ref name="December 4, 1971: When Navy got credit for IAF’s strikes on Karachi oil tanks">{{cite news |author1=Sushant Singh|title=December 4, 1971: When Navy got credit for IAF's strikes on Karachi oil tanks|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/explained/december-4-1971-when-navy-got-credit-for-iafs-strikes-on-karachi-oil-tanks/|work=The Indian Express|date=4 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170504141308/http://indianexpress.com/article/explained/december-4-1971-when-navy-got-credit-for-iafs-strikes-on-karachi-oil-tanks/|archive-date=4 May 2017}}</ref>
[[File:HMS Charity (R29).jpg|300px|thumb|right|A PNS destroyer, ''Shah Jahan'', shown here in the service of the British Royal Navy when it was known as HMS ''Charity'', was badly damaged by Styx missiles fired by INS ''Nipat'' on 4 December 1971]]
After verifying two targets in the area northwest of Karachi, at 11.00 pm (PKT), INS ''Nipat'' fired two Styx missiles – one each at cargo vessel MV ''Venus Challenger'' and its escort {{ship|PNS|Shah Jahan|DD-962|6}}, a {{sclass2|C|destroyer (1943)|0}} destroyer. ''Venus Challenger'', carrying ammunition for the Pakistani forces, exploded immediately after the missile hit, and eventually sank {{convert|23|nmi|abbr=on}} south of Karachi. The other missile targeted ''Shah Jahan'' and damaged the ship very badly. At 11.20 pm (PKT), {{ship|PNS|Muhafiz}}, an {{sclass|Adjutant|minesweeper}}, was targeted by INS ''Veer''. A missile was fired and ''Muhafiz'' was struck on the left side, behind the bridge.<ref name="40 Years Since Operation Trident -SPNF" /> It sank immediately before it could send a signal to the PNHQ,<ref name="40 Years Since Operation Trident -SPNF" /> killing 33 sailors.<ref name="December 4, 1971: When Navy got credit for IAF’s strikes on Karachi oil tanks" />

Meanwhile, INS ''Nipat'' continued towards Karachi and targeted the Kemari oil storage tanks, placing itself {{convert|14|nmi|abbr=on}} south of the Karachi harbour. Two missiles were launched; one misfired, but the other hit the oil tanks, which burned and were destroyed completely, causing a Pakistani fuel shortage. The task force returned to the nearest Indian ports.<ref name="40 Years Since Operation Trident -SPNF" />

Soon the PNHQ deployed rescue teams on patrol vessels to recover the survivors of ''Khaibar''. As ''Muhafiz'' sank before it could transmit a distress call, the Pakistanis only learned of its fate from its few survivors who were recovered when a patrol vessel steered towards the ship's burning flotsam.<ref name="40 Years Since Operation Trident -SPNF" />

==Aftermath==
The Pakistan Air Force retaliated for these attacks by bombing [[Okha Port]], scoring direct hits on fuelling facilities for missile boats, an ammunition dump, and the missile boats' jetty.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.paffalcons.com/gallery/aviation-art/syed-hussaini/trauma-and-reconstruction.php|title=Illustrations: Trauma and Reconstruction 1971–1980|website=PAF Falcons|author=Captain S. M. A. Hussaini|access-date=21 November 2016|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110830105254/http://www.paffalcons.com/gallery/aviation-art/syed-hussaini/trauma-and-reconstruction.php |archive-date=30 August 2011}}</ref> The Indian Navy anticipated this attack and had already moved the missile boats to other locations to prevent any losses. However, the destruction of a special fuel tank prevented any further incursions until [[Operation Python]], executed three days later.<ref name="GlobalSecurity">{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/indo-pak_1971.htm|title=Indo-Pakistani War of 1971|website=Global Security|access-date=21 November 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126094736/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/indo-pak_1971.htm|archive-date=26 November 2016}}</ref>

As a result of the operation, all of the Pakistan Armed Forces were put on high alert. The deployments raised a number of false alarms in the ensuing days about the presence of Indian Navy vessels off Karachi. One such false alarm was raised by a Pakistan Navy [[Fokker Friendship]] reconnaissance aircraft on 6 December 1971, which incorrectly reported a frigate of the Pakistan Navy as an Indian Navy missile boat. The PNHQ requested a Pakistan Air Force air strike on the supposed Indian ship. At 06.45 am (PKT), fighter jets were scrambled and strafed the vessel before it was identified as the frigate {{ship|PNS|Zulfiqar|K265|6}}. This [[friendly fire]] incident resulted in casualties and damage to the vessel.<ref name="The Fighter Gap 2">{{cite web|author1=Sqn Ldr Shuaib Alam Khan|title=The Fighter Gap 2|url=http://defencejournal.com/may98/fightergap2.htm|website=Defence Journal (Pakistan)|access-date=21 November 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120101020717/http://www.defencejournal.com/may98/fightergap2.htm|archive-date=1 January 2012}}</ref>

With no casualties on the Indian side, this operation was considered to be one of the most successful in modern naval history post-World War II. To mark this victory, the Indian Navy annually celebrates [[Navy Day (India)|Navy Day]] on 4 December.<ref name="In 1971" />

===Awards===
A number of Indian Navy personnel were honoured with gallantry awards for the operation. Then Fleet Operations Officer, Captain (later Vice Admiral) [[Gulab Mohanlal Hiranandani]], was awarded the [[Nau Sena Medal|''Nau Sena'' Medal]] for the detailed operational planning; the ''[[Maha Vir Chakra]]'' was awarded to the strike group commander, Cdr [[Babru Bhan Yadav]], for planning and leading the task force; and ''[[Vir Chakra]]s'' were awarded to [[Lieutenant Commander]]s Bahadur Nariman Kavina, Inderjit Sharma, M O Thomachan and Om Prakash Mehta, the commanding officers of INS ''Nipat'', INS ''Nirghat'', and INS ''Veer'' respectively. Master Chief M. N. Sangal of INS ''Nirghat'' was also awarded the ''Vir Chakra''.<ref name="In 1971" />

== See also ==
* {{INS|Khukri|F149|6}}
* [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]
* [[Operation Searchlight]]
* [[Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts]]
* [[Indo-Pakistani Naval War of 1971]]
* [[List of ships sunk by missiles]]

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{1971 Indo-Pak War}}
{{Military of India}}
{{Military of Pakistan}}

{{coord missing|Pakistan}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Operation Trident (Indo-Pakistani War Of 1971)}}
[[Category:Battles of Indo-Pakistani wars]]
[[Category:Naval battles of Indo-Pakistani wars]]
[[Category:Indo-Pakistani War of 1971|Trident]]
[[Category:1971 in India]]
[[Category:1971 in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Naval history of India]]
[[Category:December 1971 events in Asia]]

Operation Trident (1971) - Revision history

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