It was on this day 48 years ago, December 4, 1971 that three warships of the Indian Navy attacked Karachi harbour in the later part of the evening and destroyed Pakistani vessels.  This was during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war.

Three Indian Navy warships, INS Nipat, INS Veer and INS Nirghat launched Operation Trident and attacked the Pakistani port of Karachi.  Heavy damage was inflicted on the Pakistani vessels, which included PNS Khaibar.  It was the first time that anti-ship missile was used in the operation.

Operation Trident was launched on December 4, with the three ship fleet setting sail from the Gujarat port of Okha, towards Pakistan. The warships sailed in the evening hours and when they were 70 miles south of Karachi, fired missiles on Pakistani vessels.  The attack inflicting immense damage on four Pakistani vessels including PNS Khaibar and ravaged Karachi harbor fuel fields. All four vessels sank.

The attack though claimed the lives of over 500 Pakistan Navy personnel, not a single personnel of the Indian Navy was harmed.  The three ships from India used in the attack were VIDYUT class missile boats and were supported by 2 anti-submarine units and a tanker.

Indian Navy, which is the maritime defence arm of Indian Armed forces, and is led by the President of India, who is the Commander–in–Chief of the Indian Navy. Maratha Emperor Chhatrapati Shivaji Is regarded as the Father of the Indian Navy.

The Navy Day week consists of plenty of activities including entertainment and competitions.  The Navy Band conducted Beating the Retreat and Tattoo Ceremony at Gateway of India on December 3, the eve of Navy Day.  This is a special show for the public.