AU naval wing commemorate attack on Karachi harbour
TNN 5 December 2009, 01:56am IST
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-5301416,prtpage-1.cms
ALLAHABAD: To commemorate the victorious attack by the Indian Navy on Karachi Port during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war, the naval wing, NCC, Allahabad University celebrated Navy Day at the Subhash Crossing in Civil Lines on Friday. The programme was organised under the aegis of NCC Group Headquarters, Allahabad. Allahabad University vice-chancellor Rajen Harshe, IG Surya Kumar Shukla and vice-chancellor of Rajarshi Tandon Open University Nageshwar Rao were the special guests.
An exhibition of ship models was held to portray different aspects of naval life and various models of Indian warships like INS Virat, Vindhyagiri, Ranvijay and INS Sujata, Brahmos missile, Amar Jawan Jyoti, posters and photographs on naval life, besides films on Indian Navy were on display.
Navy Day is an important day for the Indian navy. In early 1971, 8 new missile boats were commissioned into Indian Navy. The additions were kept a closely guarded secret in view of the eminent war with Pakistan. Strategies were being drawn at higher levels on the basis of lessons learnt during the 1965 war with Pak when the capacity of Indian Navy had not been exploited to the optimum level. A plan was drawn up for the missile boats to be towed by bigger ships to a point about 100 miles from Karachi by night fall from where they would `launch' an attack Karachi port and ships stationed en route. War broke out on December 3, 1971.
It was the deciding hour of war, when in order to cut the logistic and military support to East Pakistan,
Indian Navy attacked Karachi Port in the mid-night and destroyed three Pakistan warships named as `Ghazi', `Khyber' and `Muhafiz' and severely damaged two other warships `Deka' and `Shahjehan 1'.
Kaemari 1 oil depot in Karachi went into flames which could not be extinguished for next seven days. This glorious moment of the history of Indian Navy is celebrated every year as Navy Day.
Allahabad NCC group headquarters decided to celebrate December 4 as a Victory Day. On this occasion, Subhash Crossing in Civil Lines was illuminated and a colourful display of fireworks was organised.
Lt Commander PK Ghosh of naval wing, NCC, Allahabad University said that though the day is celebrated with dignity on board warships and at Naval bases, Naval NCC Allahabad is the only NCC group in India which does the same. The day was celebrated under the supervision of Group Commander, NCC Headquarters, Allahabad, Col Kaushal Chaturvedi.
Capt Mahendra Nath Mulla, who belonged to Allahabad, sacrificed his life. He was rewarded Mahavir Chakra posthumously. When the enemy submarine Hangor torpedoed the INS Khukri, Capt. Mulla, helped in safe exit of as many personnel as possible and despite having all the opportunities to save his own life, he decided to go down with his ship and presented an example of service and supreme sacrifice. Captain Mulla was a part and important figure in all these operations. On December 5, one enemy ship was detected in Indian water and INS Khukri and INS Kripan were detailed for search and destroy mission under the leadership of INS Khukri Capt MN Mulla.
It was the fateful night of December 9, at 8:45 pm while on mission, Khukri was torpedoed by enemy ship and sank within minutes. But these few minutes were enough for Capt Mulla to establish himself as a pole star in the sky of martyrdom.
Capt Mulla himself pushed them into the sea, directing them to swim away. When one of them offered him the life jacket he said, "Go on save yourself and don't worry about me." In another event, even in such a stressful condition Capt. Mulla's humorous character came forward when the junior-most officer of the ship was looking at Capt Mulla just before sinking the ship and he said,
"Bachchu Utro" (Little fellow get down). Capt Mulla was last seen calmly puffing on his cigarette and going down with his ship leaving behind an everlasting footprint on the sand of time.
Coming from a distinguished family of lawyers and judges of Allahabad, law ran in his blood and he was known as `Captain Mulla - The Flying Defence' because any sailor in trouble wanted him to defend him. His heart was full of sympathy for juniors and sailors whom he used to give support.
Lt Cdr Ghosh said that this commemoration is being dedicated to the masses for last five years.
Purposefully, the selected place is Subhash Crossing because Subhash Chandra Bose himself was a cadet in his student life.
