PNS Ghazi was Pakistan’s most advanced submarine at the time. It was capable of long-range operations and mine-laying and was armed with torpedoes. Its target was clear: sink INS Vikrant, thereby paralyzing India’s Eastern Naval Command and tipping the scales of the 1971 war in favour of Pakistan.
Disguised as a commercial vessel for parts of its journey and heavily stocked with supplies, PNS Ghazi stealthily made its way to the eastern coast of India under orders to locate and attack the INS Vikrant near Visakhapatnam (Vizag).
Indian Naval Intelligence and Strategic Deception
The Indian Navy, led by Vice Admiral N. Krishnan, quickly deduced Pakistan’s likely move. He suspected that Pakistan would send the Ghazi to hunt for Vikrant off the coast of Visakhapatnam. Knowing that Vikrant was vulnerable due to technical issues and undergoing repairs, Krishnan initiated one of the most brilliant counterintelligence operations in Indian military history.
Tactical Moves:
- INS Vikrant was relocated to the Andaman Islands and kept away from the conflict zone until it was fully combat-ready.
- A decoy mission was planned: INS Rajput, an aging destroyer, was deployed along the coast near Visakhapatnam to simulate the presence of Vikrant.
- Fake radio traffic and logistical activity were staged to make it appear that Vikrant was docked in Vizag.
- Psychological warfare: Deliberate leaks and confusion were spread to lure the Ghazi into a trap.
The Sinking of PNS Ghazi
On the night of 3rd December 1971, a massive underwater explosion was reported off the coast of Visakhapatnam. The next morning, the wreckage of PNS Ghazi was discovered.
Competing Theories:
- One theory suggests that INS Rajput, while on patrol, dropped depth charges that detonated Ghazi’s mines or torpedoes.
- Another theory posits that Ghazi self-detonated, possibly while laying mines or due to an internal accident.
- The Indian Navy maintains that INS Rajput’s attack directly led to Ghazi’s destruction, which prevented what could have been a catastrophic loss for India.
The truth of the exact cause remains debated, but the outcome was decisive—India had neutralized the most lethal threat in the Bay of Bengal.
Aftermath and Recognition
The sinking of PNS Ghazi had far-reaching consequences:
- The Indian Navy gained undisputed control of the eastern seaboard.
- INS Vikrant was then deployed effectively to blockade East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), launching airstrikes on enemy positions and supply lines.
- The incident marked the first submarine loss for Pakistan and boosted Indian morale enormously.
