Indian Navy Day is celebrated every year on December 4 to commemorate the attack on the Karachi harbour during the India-Pakistan war in 1971. On this day, the Indian Navy's attack on the harbour contributed to the ultimate victory of the Indian Armed Forces over Pakistan.

The theme of Navy Day 2020 is "Indian Navy Combat Ready, Credible & Cohesive". Admiral Karambir Singh, the Navy chief said at a press conference on the eve of Navy Day, that Covid-19 and Chinese attempts to change status quo along northern borders have posed new challenges and that the Navy is ready to face both these challenges.

On Navy Day, various events are organised by the Indian Navy to reach out to citizens through various mass contact programmes. This year due to the Covid-19 forced restrictions, the outreach has turned largely virtual. Some of the activities include the 360 degree Virtual Reality Tour of INS Vikramaditya. While watching the video, viewers will be able to explore the flight deck and other unclassified areas 360 degrees using smart phones or other devices.

Background

On December 4, under Operation Trident, the Indian Navy sank three vessels near the Pakistani port city of Karachi. The stars of the mission were the then-recently acquired Soviet Osa missile boats, fitted with 4 SS-N-2 (P-15) Styx missiles.

INS Kiltan, Katchall, Nipat, Nighat and Veer sank PNS Khaibar killing 222 Pakistani sailors, and PNS Muhafiz killing 33 Pakistani sailors – and a merchant ship, MV Venus Challenger. The Indian Air Force also played a crucial role during Operation Trident, when Karachi’s Kemari oil tanks were strafed by the IAF on the same day in an independent operation which it did not claim.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants. The views expressed here are personal.)