Operation Python

After independence from the British in 1947, India was divided along the lines of religious majority in to 2 nations, viz. India and Pakistan. India remained secular but with a hindu majority, whereas Pakistan chose to be an Islamic republic. Due to the distribution of the Moslem populace, the western part of India formed West Pakistan and the eastern half of the Indian Province of Bengal formed East Pakistan (now known as Bangladesh). East and West Pakistan were governed by a central administrative body based out of Islamabad in West Pakistan. In 1971, after several years of oppression, the populace of East Pakistan revolted against the government in West Pakistan. India assisted the "Mukti Bahini" (liberation army) of the people of East Pakistan to obtain their freedom from West Pakistan (Now Pakistan). Although Indian armed forces were providing support to the Mukti Bahini, they were not directly involved in combat operations with the West Pakistani forces. But that changed when the Pakistani airforce attacked the Indian airfields at Ambala in Haryana, Amritsar in Punjab, and Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir (on Dec 3rd, 1971). The attack by the Pakistani Airforce could be considered to be less than successful, and the Indian air force soon counter attacked and established air superiority. A strategy based on attrition and a lightening fast attack was adopted and the Indian land forces launced an invasion, attacking from 3 sides.

The Indian Navy launced the famous "Operation Trident" at this time (Dec 4th, 1971), three OSA class missile boats, escorted by two Kamorta class anti-submarine patrol vessels attacked the West Pakistani harbor city of Karachi. The operation was a resounding success. The ability of the Pakistani Navy to launch offensive naval assaults was severely curtailed. But not withstanding the crippling losses, the Pakistanis tried to compensate with increased aerial surveillance and clandestine naval missions.

In an effort to further deny the enemy the use of its Naval assets, the Indian Navy launced Operation Python on the night of December 8, 1971.

That night, the seas were rough due to inclement weather, but a small strike group consisting of missile boat Vinash and two multipurpose frigates,approached Karachi. In the ensuing battle, the Indian ships sank Panamian vessel 'Gulf Star' while Pakistan Navy's 'Dacca' and the British ship 'SS Harmattan' were badly damaged.

The Pakistani fuel reserves for the sector were depleted to the point of being ineffective. The flames resulting from the incineration of the said fuel, could be observed from a distance of 60 nautical miles.

Operation Python was a resounding success.

As a result of the Operations Trident and Python, the Indian Navy attained and successfully managed to maintian Naval supremacy in the 1971 war. And as an honor to the brave men who helped attain this resounding victory, the Indian Navy shifted its "Navy day" to December 4th, the day Operation Trident was ameliorated.

Kaushik Lodh.