Published 11:26 IST, December 4th 2020
Navy Day 2020: PM Modi, Amit Shah & other leaders hail Indian Navy for its contribution
Several Indian leaders took to Twitter to wish Indian Navy while hailing its contribution in ensuring maritime security of the nation on Navy Day 2020
On the occasion of Navy Day 2020, several leaders took to Twitter to wish the Indian Navy while hailing its contribution in ensuring 'maritime security' to the nation. Sharing a video message, PM Modi remembering the country's 'rich maritime tradition' expressed gratitude towards the Navy personnel and their families. President Ram Nath Kovid, Union Minister Amit Shah and Vice President Venkaiah Naidu also extended greetings. This year's theme of Navy Day is 'Indian Navy Combat Ready, Credible & Cohesive'. Navy Day is celebrated on December 4 every year to recognise the achievements and contribution of the Indian Navy during the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971.
"Outstanding force"
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh took to Twitter to share a video, hailing the Indian Navy as an 'outstanding force'. US Ambassador to India Ken Juster also took to Twitter to wish Indian Navy while thanking them for hosting the Quad nation navies for Malabar Naval Exercise 2020. Union Ministers Piyush Goyal, Pralhad Joshi, Prakash Javadekar, JP Nadda also tweeted on the occasion to wish the naval personnel and their families for their contribution, efforts and bravery. State chief ministers' Mamata Banerjee, Ashok Gehlot, Yogi Adityanath, BS Yediyurappa, Naveen Patnaik, Biplab Deb Kumar and Pramod Sawant extended greetings on the occasion.
Navy Day
Celebrated on December 4, Navy Day recognises the achievements, contribution and role of the Indian Navy in keeping the country safe. December 4 was chosen to be celebrated as Navy Day because on that day in 1971, Indian Navy undertook Operation Trident during which four Pakistan Navy vessels including PNS Khaibar were sunk. This day is also aimed at remembering those who were martyred during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971.
Operation Trident was an offensive operation launched by the Indian Navy to target Pakistan's port city Karachi in a strategic move to win the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War. This mission was the first one which witnessed the use of anti-ship missiles in combat in the region. Conducted on the night of December 4-5, Indian Navy's Operation Trident inflicted heavy damage on Pakistan's vessels, facilities and Karachi port. A minesweeper, a destroyer, a cargo vessel carrying ammunition along with fuel storage tanks in Karachi were destroyed by the Indian Navy during the operation along with another destroyer that was damaged so badly that it had to be scrapped eventually.
Updated 13:06 IST, December 4th 2020