Kendrapara, Dec 4: Sanatan Sahu, a 75-year-old war veteran from Kendrapara, recalls his firsthand experience in one of India's most significant naval operations—Operation Trident on occasion of 53rd Navy Day.
This daring mission, launched during the 1971 India-Pakistan war, brought Pakistan's maritime strength to its knees.
Sahu remembered the unforgettable moment in the year 1971. As a young signalman aboard INS Kiltan, Sahu was part of the bold strike that targeted Karachi.
"We left Bombay harbour under the cover of darkness. By 3 am we were near Karachi port, ready for a decisive strike," he recalls. The operation was launched as retaliation for Pakistan’s airstrikes on Indian airfields in Punjab.
For seven days, Karachi was engulfed in flames as the Indian Navy destroyed Pakistan's minesweepers, destroyers, and ammunition vessels. "The fuel storage tanks were engulfed in flames.
We watched it all from our ship," says Sahu. Led by Commander B B Yadav, Operation Trident not only showcased India’s naval might but also crippled Pakistan’s naval assets.
Sahu, who served in the Navy from 1967 to 1987, considers this mission the pinnacle of his 20-year career. After retiring, he worked at Syndicate Bank until 2009 and now lives with his family.
