PN celebrates remarkable feat of PNS Hangor

On Dec 9, 1971, the submarine sunk an Indian ship, damaged another

KARACHI:

Pakistan Navy on Monday celebrated a day to commemorate the remarkable feat of Submarine PNS Hangor, which defeated the enemy vessel during the 1971 Indo-Pak war on December 09.

Submarine PNS Hangor became the part of the Pakistan Navy just a few years after the Dwarka operation in the 1965 war. During the 1971 war, the submarine led by the gallant Pakistan Navy crew, sank Indian warship INS Khukri with a torpedo. PNS Hangor also caused massive damage to the Indian ship INS Kirpan.

Both the Indian ships were equipped with anti-submarine capabilities. As a result of the destruction of the Khukri, 18 Indian officers and 176 sailors were killed. For its outstanding feat, Pakistan Navy combats aboard PNS Hangor were awarded with four Sitara-e-Jurrat, six Tamgha-e-Jurrat and 14 certificates of distinction.

The Commanding Officer of Pakistani submarine Hangor, Ahmed Tasneem, was awarded the Sitara-e-Jurrat (Bar), which is the second time a soldier has been awarded the award for courage and bravery after MM Alam of Pakistan Airforec.

This was the first time since World War II that a submarine of any country targeted and destroyed a warship during a battle.

According to Pakistan Navy Director History Captain (retd) Ahmed Zaheer, after the sinking of Khukri and the damage to Kirpan, the Indian forces lost its control. They fired around 170 mortar shells into the sea to target Hangor. After the complete destruction of Khukri and the critical hit to Karpan, the Indian Navy's plan to attack Karachi between December 11 and 12 was thwarted.

The Indo-Pak war of 1971 consisted of simultaneous land, air and sea battles.