page_title: History of the Indian Navy
section_title: Indo-Pakistani war of 1971
hierarchical_section_title: History of the Indian Navy / Indian Navy operations / Indo-Pakistani war of 1971
caption_attribution_description: English: Radar on the deck of INS Vikrant, Mumbai
context_page_description: Dominant powers in present-day India have possessed navies for many centuries. Pre-colonial dynasties such as the Cholas used naval power to extend Indian trade and influence overseas, particularly to Southeast Asia. The Marakkar Navy under Zamorins during 15th century and the Maratha Navy of the 17th and 18th centuries fought against British and Portuguese colonisers. The British East India Company organised its own navy, later known as the Bombay Marine. With the establishment of the British Raj during the 19th century the naval force became "His Majesty's Indian Navy", then "Her Majesty's Indian Marine", and finally the "Royal Indian Marine". This navy transported large numbers of Indian troops overseas during World War I, and – as the Royal Indian Navy – took part in combat and protected communications during World War II. When India became independent in 1947 part of the Royal Indian Navy was allotted to the new state of Pakistan; the remaining Indian force took the title of Indian Navy in 1950. The Indian Navy took part in the annexation of Goa in 1961, in wars with Pakistan in 1965 and 1971, and in more recent smaller-scale operations.
context_section_description: The Indian Navy played a significant role in the bombing of Karachi harbour in the 1971 war. On 4 December, it launched Operation Trident during which missile boats INS Nirghat and INS Nipat sunk the minesweeper PNS Muhafiz and destroyer PNS Khyber. The destroyer PNS Shahjahan was irreparably damaged. Owing to its success, 4 December has been celebrated as Navy Day ever since.
  The operation was so successful that the Pakistani Navy raised a false alarm about sighting an Indian missile boat on 6 December. Pakistan Air Force (PAF) planes attacked the supposed Indian ship and damaged the vessel before it was identified as being another Pakistani Navy ship, PNS Zulfiqar which suffered numerous casualties and damage as a result of this friendly fire.
  During Operation Python on 8 December, the frigate PNS Dacca was severely damaged by INS Veer and the oil storage depot of Karachi was set ablaze. On the western front in the Arabian Sea, operations ceased after the Karachi port became unusable due to the sinking of Panamian vessel Gulf Star. An Indian frigate, INS Khukri was sunk by submarine PNS Hangor.
  On the eastern front, the submarine PNS Ghazi was sunk outside Vishakhapatnam harbour. Indian naval aircraft, Sea Hawks and Alizés, from the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant were instrumental in sinking many gunboats and merchant navy vessels in the Bay of Bengal.  The successful blockade of East Pakistan by the Indian Navy proved to be a vital factor in the Pakistani surrender.
caption: INS Vikrant played a crucial role in the 1971 war by a successful blockade of East Pakistan (present day Bangladesh).
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