Vijay Diwas: Victory over waters

Vijay Diwas is celebrated to commemorate India’s victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war. Having been part of the naval operations at that time, it would only be fitting to talk about Admiral SM Nanda, who spearheaded the attack. Way back in 1969, as Flag Officer Commanding in Chief of the Western Naval Command at Mumbai, Nanda had remarked in an interview that “although the Indian navy had played no significant role in the 1965 conflict, if war comes again, he would set Karachi on fire.” It was this line of thinking which guided the Planners of Operations at Naval Headquarters.

During the 1971 war, Admiral Nanda and his team spent long hours in the War Room at Naval Headquarters analysing Pakistani military thinking, anticipating moves, evaluating intelligence inputs, revising and updating strategy and refining plans for a two-front war. Ships were made to carry out extensive workups at sea, often witnessed by the navy chief himself. The Indian Navy made maritime history in 1971 with its bold and resolute planning and fearless actions. It contributed significantly to India’s victory in 1971. Its achievements were hailed by the entire nation, led by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and other leaders.

One could say our Navy came of age in the 1971 War. Since then, it has grown in strength and size. It is now a very potent missile-equipped force, which enables democratic India to reassure the region of peace and stability.

(Retd) Commander Arun Saigal was commissioned into the executive branch of the Indian Navy in 1969. As a young officer, he was posted on a frontline warship, which saw action in the Arabian Sea in 1971.

Script by (Retd) Commander Arun Saigal; — illustration: Abhirup Datta

SALUTING THE SOLDIERS

The annual navy day (Dec 4) celebrates the members, families and martyrs of the marine division

• The success of ‘Operation Trident’ resonates even after 46 years. It was led by Commander Yadav against the Pak navy
   
• Indian Navy sunk four Pakistani ships, damaged four more, and destroyed the Karachi port as well the country’s fuel depot
   
• On April 22,1958, V Adm RD Katari assumed office as the first Indian Chief of the Naval Staff, also called the CNS

WARRIORS OF WATER : 60,000-odd personnel, an aircraft carrier, a big transport dock, 153 frigates, 8 guided missile destroyers, 24 corvettes, 13 conventional submarines, 1 nuclear attack submarine, 30 patrol vessels, and 7 mine countermeasure vessels make the Indian Naval Force

EARLY HISTORY : The history of the Indian Navy can be traced back to 1612 when Captain Thomas Best encountered and defeated the Portuguese. This encounter, as also the trouble caused by the pirates, forced the British East India Company to maintain a small fleet at Swally, near Surat. The First Squadron of fighting ships arrived on 5 September 1612, forming what was then called the Honourable East India Company’s Marine. 

Source: Indian Navy (indiannavy.nic.in)

PUBLISHED DEDICATION PAGE OF ADMIRAL NANDA’S MEMOIRS

• This book (The Man who Bombed Karachi) is dedicated with all humility and pride to the gallant men of the Indian Navy who made maritime history when they wrote their exploits in letters of gold during the 1971 war
   
• As their leader I was but an instrument of God’s will and a representative of their high standards of professionalism. It is a salute to my comrades who laid down their lives so that we may have a peaceful tomorrow
   
• It is also dedicated to my colleagues and shipmates who have navigated the oceans with me and stood many a lonely watch on the bridge

INDO-PAK WAR OF 1971

March 7  Awami League calls for final struggle for independence in West Pakistan

March 24  Pak army opens fire on demonstrators (in East Pakistan) and kills thousands

March 26  Pak arrests Sheikh Mujibur Rahman after he declares freedom for East Pakistan

April 2  Jinjira massacre kills more than 1,000

April 17  Provisional government in exile takes oath in Baidyanathtala

May 15  India starts aiding Mukti Bahini

May 20  Pak kills nearly 10,000 people in Chuknagar, Khulna

December 3  Bangladesh Air Force destroys Pak oil depots; Pakistan attacks India

December 4  Battle of Longewala begins

December 7  Jessore and Sylhet are liberated

December 8  Indian Navy attacks Karachi harbor

December 11  USA deploys USS Enterprise in Bay of Bengal to intimidate Indian Navy

December 13  USSR sends its warships to counter USS Enterprise

December 16  Ceasefire is signed. The war leads to formation of Bangladesh