INS Magar , large Landing Ship Tank of the Indian Navy, celebrated her 25 anniversary here on Wednesday.
The silver jubilee fete was marked by activities such as painting competition for children at community hall on the theme ‘Let’s go beaching’, and cultural show at Yarada beach. A traditional cake cutting ceremony was conducted on board in the presence of the Commanding Officer Commander Nikhil Joshi, who congratulated the crew and the support staff on the efforts put in by them in keeping the ship in good condition. INS Magar was commissioned on this day in 1987 in Kolkata by Admiral R.H. Tahiliani, the then Chief of Naval Staff. The ship is the first indigenous amphibious assault ship of the Indian Navy, and the lead ship of its class of five ships in active Naval service. In its primary role as amphibious assault ship, the ship can carry a variety of infantry combat vehicles, large trucks and troops, as well as a commando carrying helicopter for airborne induction. The ship is specially designed for beaching operations, which enables the landing of troops, tanks, and vehicles on enemy shores, taking the fight right up to the enemy’s door. According to a spokesman, INS Magar has played a major role in various operations conducted by the Indian Navy. Her participation in Op Pawan during IPKF operation in Sri Lanka is noteworthy where the ship played a pivotal role in movement of logistics during the period of active operations. As part of Op Madad in the aftermath of the tsunami in 2004, the ship evacuated over 1,300 stranded personnel from various islands in Andaman and Nicobar and rendered assistance to many in the worst-hit regions of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. INS Magar also undertook many goodwill missions to littoral nations in the Indian Ocean region, he added.
