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 attack 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 reported to the Port of Karachi as it was the headquarter of the 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 aeroplane 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 the Indian Navy was stationed 3 “Vidyut-Class Missile Boats” in the zone of OKHA, located somewhere near Karachi.

According to the continuous surveillance in the 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 the “Indo-Pakistan War of 1971”

Execution of Operation:

The Indian Navy Headquarters 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 the 25th Missile Boat Squad.

Taking the advantage of the 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 victories of the Indian Navy which is noted in the history of the Indian Navy though there are many operations too.

Operation Python was undertaken just after 3 days of completion of Op. Trident. The first 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, which 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 aeroplane 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.