The Indian Navy Day is celebrated on December 4 every year to commemorate Operation Trident, an attack on the Karachi harbour during the Indo-Pakistan war in 1971. The Indian Navy outperformed Pakistan's troops with zero casualties on its side. Anti-ship missiles were first used by India during this operation. The Pakistani destroyer ship PNS Khaibar and other vessels were destroyed in 90 minutes by the Indian Navy. Personnel of the Indian Navy were honoured with the Nau Sena Medal and Maha Vir Chakra for their gallantry exhibited in the Operation.
Pakistan Naval submarine "Ghazi", which was sunk off when it tried approaching the Visakhapatnam harbour on the night of December 3, 1971.
Here are some basic facts about the Indian Navy:
The 70-year old Indian Navy is headed by the President of India as its Supreme Commander. The current Chief of the Naval Staff is Admiral Sunil Lanba, who is in command since June 2016. Some of the earliest operations of the Indian Navy include its liberation of Goa from Portugal in 1961.
Ships of the Indian Navy's Eastern Naval Command returning to base. File photo.
The Navy has three commands: Eastern Command headquartered in Vishakhapatnam, Western Command in Mumbai, and Southern Command in Kochi. The Navy operates in 66 bases under the Commands.
The INS Arihant submarine.
The Navy has developed as an indigenous force with the making of the nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine INS Arihant and several other ships. Its arsenal includes more than 80 ships, 15 submarines, and advanced electronic and satellite defence management systems. Indian Navy currently has one aircraft carrier, the INS Vikramaditya, which is the flagship. It has three classes of destroyers -- Delhi, Rajput, and Kolkata; and four classes of Frigates -- Shivalik, Talwar, Brahmaputra, and Godavari.
Indian Navy officers hoist "Colours" onboard INS Chennai to mark the commencement of the ship's service as warship of Indian Navy at naval Dockyard, Mumbai.
It operates three classes of submarines: Chakra (under which is the nuclear-powered INS Chakra), Sindhughosh, and Shishumar.
The Indian Navy is the fifth largest in the world, employing 67,109 personnel.
File photo of Marine Commandos demonstrating a beach assault as part of the rehearsal for the Navy Day in Visakhapatnam.
Marine Commandos or MARCOS, part of a special unit of the Navy, are made to undergo an excruciating training which only 10% of the trainees successfully complete.
(With inputs from Sruthee Ram)
