Operation Python-1971

After the successful completion of Operation Trident, and resting for a while the Indian Marine Sharks got their second mission, which was noted as the most important and remarkable victory of our Indian Navy Army.

The mission is well remembered as “Operation Python”. This operation was named Op. Python as this was the launch of attach on West Pakistan’s port city near or part of Karachi by the Indian Naval Sena in 1971 during the Indo-Pakistan War.

After the primary assault during Operation Trident on the Port of Karachi, Pakistan ventured up airborne observation of its coast as the nearness of enormous Indian Navy ships gave the feeling that another assault was being arranged. Pakistani warships endeavoured to defeat the Indian Navy by blending with shipper shipping. To counter these moves, Operation Python was propelled in the evening of 8th or 9th December 1971. A strike bunch comprising of one rocket vessel and two frigates assaulted the gathering of boats off the shoreline of Karachi. While India endured no misfortunes, Pakistani armada tanker PNS Dacca was harmed destroyed, and the Kemari Oil Storage office was lost. Two other remote boats positioned in Karachi were likewise sunk during the assault.

In 1971, the Pakistan Navy was reporting to the Port of Karachi as it was the headquarter of Pakistan Navy and as per the details received the Pakistan Navy was placed in Karachi Dockyard. Also, the same port was the station for ocean-going trade. Pakistan Air Force’s shore-based airplane was entrusted with giving continuous spread to Karachi port, against any conceivable airstrikes. It additionally picked up importance as it was the main seaport in West Pakistan

While moving towards the end of 1971, the situation and condition were getting worst between India-Pakistan. And on 23rd November 1971 the Pakistan Navy called off the National Emergency as they got to know that Indian Navy as stationed 3 “Vidyut-Class Missile Boats” in the zone of OKHA, located somewhere near Karachi.

According to the continuous surveillance in marine area, the Indian Navy team were aware that the Pakistan Navy is also operating in the same marine area, so the Indian NAVY set a separation line for which ship would not enter the determined line.

It is was the chilling time of winter, 3rd December when Pakistan announced war against Indian Airfields across the border, which was the official beginning of “Indo-Pakistan War of 1971”

Execution of Operation:

The Indian Navy Headquarter located in Delhi organized the meeting with the Western Naval Command for framing the strategies for attacking Karachi Port. A strike bunch under Western Naval Command was shaped. This strike bunch was to be conformed to the three Vidyut-class rocket pontoons previously conveyed off the shoreline of Okha. Anyway these had restricted operational and radar extend and to conquer this trouble, it was chosen to dole out help vessels to the gathering. On 4th December, what was presently assigned as the Karachi Strike Group was shaped and comprised of the three Vidyut-class rocket vessels: INS Nipat, INS Nirghat and INS Veer, each furnished with four SS-N-2B Styx surface-to-surface rockets with a scope of 40 nautical miles, 2 Arnala-class hostile to submarine corvettes: INS Kiltan and INS Katchall, and an armada tanker, INS Poshak. The responsibility of commanding was on the shoulder of Commander Babru Bhan Yadav, who was the commanding officer of 25th Missile Boat Squad.

Taking the advantage of dark and shivering night on 4th or 5th December as the Indian Navy executed Operation Trident and attacked the coastal port of Pakistan at Karachi. The victory and accomplishment of Op. Trident was one of the best victory of the Indian Navy which is noted in the history of Indian Navy though there are many operations too.

Operation Python was undertaken just after 3 days of completion of Op. Trident. The first of anti-ship missile was seen in Op. Trident and thereafter then Pakistan Navy was a bit frightening. The Indian Navy’s main focus was on the oil storage facilities in Karachi, who were still alive and were operating there. As one out of the 2 missiles fired had affected them. This disappointment was later evaluated as the aftereffect of disarray made between the bosses of the three rocket pontoons. Moreover, the Indians mixed up tracer fire from the waterfront mounted guns of Karachi as beginning from Pakistani airplane and withdrew briskly before they could appropriately focus on the tanks. After the principal assault during Operation Trident on the Port of Karachi, Pakistan ventured up flying reconnaissance of its coast as the nearness of enormous Indian Navy ships gave the feeling that another assault was being planned. Pakistani warships endeavoured to defeat the Indian Navy by blending with trader shipping. To counter these moves, Operation Python was propelled.

Time from Some Action:

The plan was taken in action on 8th or 9th December in night around 10 pm as Pakistan Standard Time, in difficult situations, a little strike bunch comprising of the rocket vessel INS Vinash, furnished with four Styx rockets, and two multipurpose frigates, INS Talwar and INS Trishul, drew nearer Manora, a promontory south of the Port of Karachi. During their journey, a Pakistani watch vessel was experienced and sunk.

One of the Indian Navy member told that while the gathering moved towards Karachi, Trishul’s electronic observation uncovered that the radar there had quit pivoting and was coordinated directly at the gathering, affirming that it had been distinguished.

Around 11.00 pm (PKT), the gathering distinguished a bunch of boats a ways off of 12 nmi. Vinash quickly terminated four of its rockets, the first struck the fuel tanks at the Kemari Oil Farm causing a substantial blast. Another rocket hit and sank the Panamanian fuel tanker SS Gulf Star. The third and fourth rockets hit the Pakistani Navy armada tanker PNS Dacca and the British vendor vessel SS Harmattan. Dacca was harmed hopeless, while Harmattan sank. As Vinash had now exhausted the entirety of its rockets, the gathering quickly pulled back to the closest Indian port.

In the meantime between Operations Trident and Python, and the Indian Air Force assaults on Karachi’s fuel and ammo warehouses, over 50% of the all-out fuel necessity of the Karachi zone was accounted for to have been obliterated. The outcome was a devastating monetary hit to Pakistan. The harm was assessed to be worth $3 billion, with the majority of the oil stores and ammo stockrooms and workshops pulverized. The Pakistan Air Force was likewise influenced by the loss of fuel.

What Happened in the end ??

Without any setbacks saw on the Indian side, both Trident and Python rocket assaults drove the Pakistan Navy to take extraordinary measures to forestall any further harm. The salvage endeavours were promptly organized by Rear Admiral Patrick Simpson who kept assurance high among the Pakistani Navy officials. For this, he was granted the Sitara-e-Jurat. Lieutenant Commander Vijai Jerath, the boss of Vinash, was granted the Vir Chakra for this activity. The Pakistani High Command requested boats to decrease their ammo dumps to lessen the blast harm whenever hit. The boats were likewise requested not to move out adrift, particularly during the night, except if requested to do as such. These two estimates seriously crippled Pakistani maritime groups. With the devastation brought about by the Indian Navy, impartial vendor vessels before long began to look for safe section from the Indian specialists before making a beeline for Karachi. Step by step, nonpartisan boats stopped cruising for Karachi. An accepted maritime barricade was made by the Indian Navy.

The act of bravery and sacrifice of Navy Soldiers could not be forgotten and tribute must always be shown and given to them and their families.

“Jai-Hind.”