Indian Navy Celebrates Navy Day by Commemorating the Legendary Operation Trident: How the ‘Killer Squadron’ Set Karachi Port Ablaze in 1971

In 1971, as tensions between India and Pakistan escalated, Chief of Army Staff General Sam Manekshaw informed Prime Minister Indira Gandhi that India would go to war with Pakistan on December 4. The next day, Pakistan bombed nine Indian airfields, triggering the start of the war.

During the conflict, the Indian Navy played a crucial role in the liberation of East Pakistan. Operating in the Eastern and Western theaters, the navy implemented a naval blockade to disrupt the connection between East and West Pakistan.

One significant operation conducted by the Indian Navy during the war was Operation Trident. After the Pakistani air raids, Vice Admiral SN Kohli of the Western Naval Command (WNC) received orders for Operation Trident. The objective was to bomb the Karachi port.

The operation was carried out by the “Karachi Strike Group” from the 25th Missile Boat Squadron, also known as the “Killer Squadron.” The group consisted of two Petya-class ships, Katchal and Kiltan, and three missile boats, INS Nirghat, Nipat, and Veer. An additional missile boat was stationed at the Dwarka port for cover. Equipped with four Russian Styx Surface-to-Surface missiles each, the missile boats were the primary offensive force.

Commander Babru Bhan Yadav, the commanding officer of the Killer Squadron, was responsible for leading the offensive on Karachi port. Initially planned for December 3, the operation was postponed to December 4 due to the air raids by Pakistan on the previous day.

The Petya-class ships accompanied the missile boats, providing radar support and towing capabilities. The Pakistan Navy had established a demarcation line for merchant ships bound for Karachi, instructing them not to operate in that zone between sunset and dawn. However, the Indian strike group identified two targets as Pakistani warships on radar and prepared to launch the Styx missiles, which had a range of 75 km.

During the operation, INS Nirghat’s radar mistakenly identified anti-aircraft tracer shells as aircraft, causing some confusion and fear of a Pakistani air raid. Nevertheless, Commander BB Yadav on board INS Nipat successfully fired the remaining Styx missiles on the Kemari oil refinery, setting it ablaze. The attack was a success, with no reported losses. This marked a historic moment for the Indian Navy.

Four days later, Operation Python dealt another blow to the Pakistani Navy. INS Vinash, Talwar, and Trishul sank PNS Dacca and damaged MV Harmattan and MV Gulf. The Kemari oil refinery continued to burn for days. As a result, the Pakistani Navy’s presence on the western front was severely weakened, giving India complete maritime dominance.

This operation was notable for being the first time anti-ship missiles were used in the region. Commander Babru Bhan Yadav was recognized for his gallantry and awarded the Maha Vir Chakra. The Indian Navy celebrates December 4 as “Navy Day” to commemorate this battle.

The bombing of the Karachi port and oil refinery caused significant damage to Pakistan, resulting in a loss of approximately $3 billion and a severe shortage of oil for Pakistani aircraft. Furthermore, it severed the Sea Lines of Communication (SLOC) between East and West Pakistan and blocked the supply of US weapons to Pakistan through Karachi.