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Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Navy's covert Op X during Bangla War dealt biggest damage in naval history: Rtd Vice Admiral Abhay Kavre
1 2 3 4 5 6 Nagpur: Indian Navy 's vice admiral (retd) Abhay Karve on Saturday shared experiences of Operation X, a covert naval mission during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, at an event organised by Prahar Samaj Jagruti Sanstha to mark Kargil Vijay Diwas. Under the operation, Mukti Bahini divers, armed only with magnetic mines and flippers, swam beneath enemy ships to plant explosives. "The mission was extremely successful. Not even World War II or the Vietnam War witnessed such massive naval destruction," he said. Karve, who last served as the flag officer commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval Command, said the Indian Navy trained members of the Bangladeshi rebel faction Mukti Bahini, including 400 personnel as "assault swimmers." "Captain M.N.R. Samant, a non-diver himself, led the training at Plassey and revealed the strategic importance of East Pakistan's massive riverine geography. At that time, Bangladesh barely had any roads, and boats were the primary mode of transport," Karve said. Reflecting on the state of the Navy post-partition, Karve said India was left with only six warships, all remnants of World War II. Today, he noted, the Indian Navy commands one of the most modern fleets in the region. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Seniors Are Ditching Finger Pricks with This Breakthrough Monitor Zakdavi Undo "From early indigenous ships like INS Ajay and INS Nilgiri to current initiatives, the Navy has led the way in indigenization under the 'Make in India' program," he said. Karve highlighted the Navy's decisive role in several military operations, including the Goa Liberation in 1961, spearheaded by ships like INS Mysore, Betwa, Beas, and Trishul. Lieutenant Arun Auditto led the capture of Anjadiv Island, defeating Portuguese forces and securing the surrender of the vessel Albuquerque—Portugal's only line of communication with Goa. "The 1971 Indo-Pak war remains the most comprehensive display of India's naval capabilities," Karve emphasized. "Within days, India blockaded Pakistani ports and launched precision attacks using missile boats. Operation Trident on December 4—now celebrated as Navy Day—destroyed Karachi's oil reserves and key infrastructure. Operation Python followed, with a single ship attack crippling more Pakistani assets. " He added that the Navy's use of surface-to-surface missiles and towed missile boats for fuel efficiency stunned even its Soviet allies. "On the eastern front, INS Vikrant led operations in the Bay of Bengal despite technical setbacks. The sinking of PNS Ghazi, Pakistan's leased submarine, was achieved through strategic deception and became a turning point," he said. While victories were significant, sacrifices were equally profound. INS Khukri, deployed near Diu, was lost to a submarine attack, killing 195 sailors, including Captain M.N. Mulla. The tragedy prompted the Indian Navy to adopt advanced anti-submarine technology and strengthen its R&D focus, he added. Vice Admiral Karve was felicitated by the organization's secretary, Flight Lieutenant Shivalee Deshpande. Inputs by N Soumya & Nimishka Saluja
Time of India
5 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Navy's covert Op X during Bangla War dealt biggest damage in naval history: Rtd Vice Admiral Abhay Karve
1 2 Nagpur: Indian Navy 's vice admiral (retd) Abhay Karve on Saturday shared experiences of Operation X, a covert naval mission during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, at an event organised by Prahar Samaj Jagruti Sanstha to mark Kargil Vijay Diwas. Under the operation, Mukti Bahini divers, armed only with magnetic mines and flippers, swam beneath enemy ships to plant explosives. "The mission was extremely successful. Not even World War II or the Vietnam War witnessed such massive naval destruction," he said. Karve, who last served as the flag officer commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval Command, said the Indian Navy trained members of the Bangladeshi rebel faction Mukti Bahini, including 400 personnel as "assault swimmers." "Captain M.N.R. Samant, a non-diver himself, led the training at Plassey and revealed the strategic importance of East Pakistan's massive riverine geography. At that time, Bangladesh barely had any roads, and boats were the primary mode of transport," Karve said. Reflecting on the state of the Navy post-partition, Karve said India was left with only six warships, all remnants of World War II. Today, he noted, the Indian Navy commands one of the most modern fleets in the region. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Swelling and internal bleeding in the brain, help this baby Donate For Health Donate Now Undo "From early indigenous ships like INS Ajay and INS Nilgiri to current initiatives, the Navy has led the way in indigenization under the 'Make in India' program," he said. Karve highlighted the Navy's decisive role in several military operations, including the Goa Liberation in 1961, spearheaded by ships like INS Mysore, Betwa, Beas, and Trishul. Lieutenant Arun Auditto led the capture of Anjadiv Island, defeating Portuguese forces and securing the surrender of the vessel Albuquerque—Portugal's only line of communication with Goa. "The 1971 Indo-Pak war remains the most comprehensive display of India's naval capabilities," Karve emphasized. "Within days, India blockaded Pakistani ports and launched precision attacks using missile boats. Operation Trident on December 4—now celebrated as Navy Day—destroyed Karachi's oil reserves and key infrastructure. Operation Python followed, with a single ship attack crippling more Pakistani assets. " He added that the Navy's use of surface-to-surface missiles and towed missile boats for fuel efficiency stunned even its Soviet allies. "On the eastern front, INS Vikrant led operations in the Bay of Bengal despite technical setbacks. The sinking of PNS Ghazi, Pakistan's leased submarine, was achieved through strategic deception and became a turning point," he said. While victories were significant, sacrifices were equally profound. INS Khukri, deployed near Diu, was lost to a submarine attack, killing 195 sailors, including Captain M.N. Mulla. The tragedy prompted the Indian Navy to adopt advanced anti-submarine technology and strengthen its R&D focus, he added. Vice Admiral Karve was felicitated by the organization's secretary, Flight Lieutenant Shivalee Deshpande. Inputs by N Soumya & Nimishka Saluja
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Comparing 1971 India-Pakistan war & Operation Sindoor
Dr. Prashant Prabhakar Deshpande has post-graduated in Economics with a Gold Medal in 1976 and was awarded a Ph.D in Social Sciences from Nagpur University in 2007. Introduction In the aftermath of the Operation Sindoor Congress has been highlighting Pakistan's surrender to India in 1971 Bangladesh war during Smt Indira Gandhi's premiership. However, according to experts, the exercise is futile. According to them, while both achieved their respective objectives, they differ significantly in context, scale, and impact and should be viewed within their distinct historical and strategic frameworks. According to experts, the 1971 war was a full-scale military conflict triggered by widespread human rights violations and a massive refugee crisis in East Pakistan, now Bangladesh, where the Pakistani army persecuted the Bengali population, forcing nearly 10 million refugees to flee to India. In response, India initially provided humanitarian aid and extended support to the Bengali resistance force, the Mukti Bahini. When Pakistan launched an attack on both eastern & western fronts, India declared a full-scale war, engaging across land, air, and sea, achieving a decisive victory, leading to the liberation of East Pakistan and the creation of Bangladesh, leading to a significant territorial and political shift in South Asia. According to experts, Operation Sindoor in contrast, was a precision military strike launched to dismantle terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) to avenge the massacre of 26 Indian tourists in J&K's Pahalgam on 22nd of April, 2025 destroying 9 terror hideouts using advanced technology, including drones, satellite imagery, and precision-guided weapons. The operation was aimed solely at terrorist infrastructure avoiding civilian or military targets, the objective being to curb terrorism and deliver a strong message to Pakistan without escalating into a full-scale war. After Pakistan's retaliatory strikes, however, India responded firmly that culminated into an agreement to hold fire & military action on May 10, 2025. Comparing 1971 & 2025 According to military experts, comparing the 1971 war with Operation Sindoor is not appropriate, as both had vastly different objectives and contexts. While the 1971 war resulted in the creation of Bangladesh, Operation Sindoor was a limited but targeted military action aimed at dismantling terrorist infrastructure. While the 1971 war reshaped South Asia's political landscape, Operation Sindoor sent a strong message to Pakistan and the terrorist groups it backs, without escalating into a broader conflict. Achievements of Operation Sindoor Operation Sindoor reportedly targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK, resulting in the destruction of two terrorist headquarters, reportedly killing several terrorists, including 2 designated by the United Nations and 8 on India's most-wanted list. Operation Sindoor highlights a shift towards a proactive defence strategy adopted by India, ensuring national security and regional stability. The destruction of terror camps and Pakistani military assets has sent a strong message to adversaries, reinforcing India's commitment to counter-terrorism. India's precision strikes under Operation Sindoor showcased a modern military doctrine targeting terror camps and Pakistani military installations without engaging in prolonged warfare. India's approach focuses on economic dominance, strategic deterrence, and controlled military engagements, underscoring India's long-term vision, ensuring national security without compromising economic growth under the Viksit Bharat Vision. India agreed to the Pakistani DGMO's request to halt firing & military action only after it achieved its objective to destroy terrorist camps, forcing Pakistan's military to plead. India's actions demonstrated its firm stance against terrorism and cross-border aggression. The country demonstrated its military prowess neutralising half a dozen US and China-made fighter jets along with hundreds of Turkish and Chinese drones deployed by Pakistan in addition to destroying 9 terror camps, eliminating 100+ terrorists, including masterminds behind the Kandahar hijack and 26/11 Mumbai attacks & causing significant losses estimated at $10 billion+. Operation Sindoor demonstrates a decisive shift in India's counter-terrorism strategy, aimed at delivering swift and targeted responses, rather than issuing warnings . Reasons behind India's agreeing to Pakistan's request to hold fire & military action According to experts in today's world, military confrontations are not solely about territorial gains but about economic stability, precision strikes, and global influence. Unlike 1971, when full-fledged warfare was the only viable option, today's geopolitical landscape demands calculated actions that align with economic and strategic priorities, according to them. A prolonged war with Pakistan would derail India's economic growth, disrupt Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs), and slow down job creation, negatively impacting the country's development trajectory. As global manufacturing shifts away from China, a prolonged conflict could prevent India from emerging as a key manufacturing hub, securing Beijing's economic dominance. Unlike traditional warfare, modern conflicts focus on precision military operations that weaken adversaries without engaging in prolonged war. Economically fragile and politically unstable Pakistan has nothing to lose from prolonged military engagements. However, China and the US Deep State have vested interests in India's prolonged involvement as: – Pakistan serves as a front for major global powers to sell weapons and destabilize India. – A long military conflict would weaken India's global position, similar to how the West pushed Russia into a multi-year war with Ukraine. Opposition's Nefarious design to play politics on Operation Sindoor Indian opposition parties, including India's grand old party, Indian National Congress, which was in power at the Centre which remained passive after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, are now pushing for war to: Disrupt the government's economic policies by forcing it into a long military conflict, and; Create public discontent if the government refuses to escalate the war, labelling it as weakness. These parties do not realise or do not want to realise that they are playing into the hands of India's adversary, Pakistan, which has been since long harbouring terrorists, doing a disservice to the nation, discrediting & demoralising the country's Armed forces. Epilogue India's recent military operations highlight a shift towards proactive defence strategies & by destroying terror camps, sends a strong message to adversaries, reinforcing India's commitment to counter-terrorism. According to experts, while the Shimla Agreement signed after the 1971 war was aimed at diplomatic resolution, India's modern defence approach underscores the necessity of military deterrence in safeguarding national interest, considering it futile to compare 1971 war & Operation Sindoor. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
News18
09-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
'Creation Of Bangladesh Justified?: Himanta Hits Out At Indira Gandhi Govt Over Illegal Immigrants
Last Updated: While Himanta Biswa Sarma said Indira Gandhi deserves credit for India's 1971 victory over Pakistan, he raised doubts on whether the creation of Bangladesh was justified. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday criticised former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's government in 1971 for 'squandering the opportunity" to reclaim occupied Indian territories, after the Indian Armed Forces 'crushed" the Pakistan Army during the Bangladesh Liberation War, and not dealing with illegal immigration. Speaking in the Assam Assembly, Sarma said, 'In 1971, under the leadership of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, India won the war. The Indian Army achieved victory, and Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister, she rightly deserves credit." 'However, after the victory, 93,000 Pakistani prisoners of war (POWs) captured by India were returned to Pakistan, but we could not secure even nine POWs from Pakistan." Though Indian Forces crushed the Pakistani Army in 1971, the Govt of the day could not secure Indian interests and squandered the opportunity to reclaim back occupied Indian territories. #AssamAssembly — Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) June 9, 2025 He further said, 'Yes, we won the war but what exactly did we achieve. We created Bangladesh. But are we satisfied with that decision today? It's worth asking in 2025: Was the creation of Bangladesh the right move?" He said Indira Gandhi could have at least demanded the return of all illegal migrants in exchange for supporting the creation of Bangladesh. 'Though Indian Forces crushed the Pakistani Army in 1971, the Govt of the day could not secure Indian interests and squandered the opportunity to reclaim back occupied Indian territories," he said. India initially provided humanitarian aid and extended support to the Bengali resistance force, the Mukti Bahini. After Pakistan launched pre-emptive strikes on Indian airbases, India declared a full-scale war and engaged Pakistani forces across land, air and sea. In collaboration with the Mukti Bahini, India defeated Pakistani forces in just 13 days, capturing 93,000 Pakistani soldiers and leading to the creation of Bangladesh. India and Pakistan signed the Simla Agreement in 1972, with both sides agreeing to resolve issues peacefully. India agreed to repatriate Pakistani soldiers in exchange for Pakistan's formal recognition of Bangladesh. However, this move has been criticised by several political leaders, who said India missed an opportunity to reclaim Pakistan-occupied Kashmir without getting adequate concessions. First Published: June 09, 2025, 19:57 IST
India Today
02-06-2025
- Politics
- India Today
5 takeaways from Ukraine's Operation Spider's Web against Russia
Ukrainian special forces carried out simultaneous strikes across the length of the Russian Federation, striking air bases and damaging or destroying 41 Russian strategic bombers while they were on the ground. Estimates suggest that over 30 per cent of the Russian Federation's bomber fleet- Tu-95 and Tu-22s and A-50 airborne radars were destroyed by Ukrainian 100 drones were flown out of shipping containers which discharged the pre-programmed vertical lift drones as they passed near Russian airbases. The bombers were those used to target Ukrainian positions during the war using stand-off weapons like cruise missiles and bombs. Russian media has termed these attacks a 'Pearl Harbour', referring to the Imperial Japanese Navy's surprise attack on the US Fleet in Hawaii in 1941. That attack brought the US into the Second World Ukrainian attacks, however, come in a war that is now in its fourth year. It is one of the tactical high-points of the conflict and just before the second round of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul on June 2. The first round, on May 16, led to the largest prisoner swap between the two sides.1. THE LARGEST EVER: In sheer size, scale and complexity, Ukraine has carried out one of the world's largest special forces strikes— hitting two air bases in Olenya, Murmansk and Irkutsk, Siberia— over 6000 km apart and in three time zones. It ticks all the boxes of Admiral William McRaven's theory of Special Operations — a simple plan, carefully concealed, repeatedly and realistically rehearsed, and executed with speed, surprise and purpose. It weaponised civilian logistics, remotely carrying out the attacks without any of its personnel being carried out two of the world's most complex special missions — the hostage rescue at Entebbe airport, Uganda in July 1976, where over 100 Israeli soldiers flew over 3000 km across hostile territory to rescue 106 Israeli passengers, killing the terrorists and destroying one-fourth of the Ugandan Air Force on the ground. In 2023, Mossad booby-trapped pagers in 2023 to kill and wound over 1000 Hezbollah operatives in largest special forces operation. Operation Jackpot, planned by the Indian Navy and carried out by Mukti Bahini naval commandos on the night of August 15, 1971, simultaneously attacked four Pakistani ports across (then) East Pakistan, sinking and damaging 22 merchant ships. The attacks were carried out at four ports — Chittagong, Chalna-Mongla, Narayanganj and Chandpur — in a 500 square km box.2. DENIABILITYThe Russia-Ukraine war, it can be argued, is a proxy war between Moscow and NATO. Ukrainian soldiers fight on the ground using Western-supplied weapons and communications gear. These have been sore points for Russia, which has threatened to attack NATO bases and ammunition dumps in Spider's Web however, Ukraine has emphasised that the attacks were carried out on its own without NATO / Western support. President Volodomyr Zelenesky emphasised in a post on X that the 'result was achieved solely by Ukraine'. This was done to minimise potential fallout on the West. The attack used Ukrainian drones and was quickly owned up by the Ukrainian government. No Western-supplied weapons like the long-range Taurus missiles were used. Ukraine released images to show they used commercially available high-resolution satellite imagery to target the bombers parked in the open.3. WILL RUSSIA USE NUCLEAR WEAPONS?advertisementRussia has threatened to use nuclear weapons at least once during the four-year conflict. The June 1 attack is problematic because it struck Russia's strategic bomber fleet. This means Russia now has fewer aircraft to launch nuclear weapons with in case of a full-scale war. Russian officials have threatened retaliation for the June 1 Ukrainian attacks. Russia launched a wave of over 400 drones on Ukraine on June 1, soon after the Ukrainian attacks. It could do what it has done in the past-- fire the Oreshnik, hypersonic but conventionally armed missile, which cannot be intercepted.4. THE AGE OF DRONE WARFARE HAS ARRIVEDEven before 2022, there were indications of this in the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict and in the Houthis' strike on the Saudi Arabian oil refineries suggested drones were an adjunct of all conflict. The Russia-Ukraine war ushered in a new age of drone warfare where drones have replaced every single platform from manned fighter aircraft to small arms. Both Russia and Ukraine are using tens of thousands of First Person View (FPV) drones, and their descendants, the wire-guided FPV drones (which cannot be jammed), to create dense, impenetrable drone has led to a World War 1 kind of scenario where the advent of artillery and the machine gun made open movement on the battlefield incredibly dangerous, leading to trench warfare where both sides dug into the earth for protection, creating elaborate trench systems.5. LESSONS FOR INDIAIndia extensively used drones to target Pakistan during the four-day Operation Sindoor air strikes, using them as decoys and to attack Pakistani military targets. But the bigger lessons are for Pearl Harbour-style attacks on Indian targets. In 2021, Pakistani non-state actors struck at an Indian air base in attack saw two quadcopter sized drones dropping two improvised explosive devices which exploded without killing anyone. It was a warning shot because the attackers missed several helicopters parked in the open. The composition of the IED- a military-grade shaped charge - suggested state involvement in the attack. Pakistan could use similar tactics to carry out mass, simultaneous strikes on Indian airbases and other installations. Aircraft and helicopters are most vulnerable when they are parked on the ground, and in the open. The easy availability of commercial satellite imagery means the location of all aircraft and warships and submarines is easily is an urgent need for all military aircraft to be covered in blast-proof structures. All air bases must be secured with multiple indigenous counter-UAS systems.
