On this day, Operation Python, a follow-up to Operation Trident, was a naval attack launched by India on West Pakistan’s port city of Karachi during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. The first attack during Operation Trident when two Indian warships set Karachi Ablaze is celebrated as a Navy Day across India.
In this operation, involving missile attacks by INS Vinash supported by INS Trishul and INS Talwar, PNS Dacca and MV Harmattan were severely damaged, MV Gulf Star destroyed and Kemari oil field was set ablaze again. The magnitude of devastation was so large and unexpected that Pakistani Navy withdrew ships inside the harbour and ordered de-ammunition. Thus, the maritime war on the western front was effectively over within five days of commencement of the hostilities.
