Pakistani submarine sank an Indian frigate and crippled a warship in 1971
Pakistan Navy celebrated 49th HANGOR Day in honor of the Pakistan Navy Submarine HANGOR’s remarkable achievement in the 1971 war. The submarine, which was commissioned in 1969, sank Indian Navy anti-submarine Frigate KHUKRI with a single homing torpedo and crippled INS KIRPAN in the 1971 war.
The day is celebrated every year on the 9th of December. A ceremony was held at PN Dockyard Karachi to commemorate the event. Commander Pakistan Fleet, Rear Admiral Naveed Ashraf was the Chief Guest at the occasion. The vent was attended by a number of Pakistan Navy dignitaries as well. A special promo of a documentary about the event was also released by Pakistan Navy.
This heroic action took place at south east of ‘Diu Head’ on west coast of India. The event is distinguished in naval history for being the first and only successful kill by a conventional submarine after WW-II. With highly professional conduct by the commanding officer Commander Ahmed Tasnim and his crew, Indians were unable to detect the submarine which safely returned home after completing the mission.
The French made submarine was decommissioned in 2006. It now stands proud at Pakistan Maritime Museum Karachi as a symbol of courage and victory. In recognition of their courage, the valiant crew of HANGOR was decorated with four Sitara-e-Jurrat, six Tamgha-e-Jurrat and sixteen lmtiazi Asnad. This is the highest number of operational gallantry awards given to a single unit of Pakistan Navy.
On the occasion, the message of Vice Admiral (Retd) Ahmed Tasnim (then Commanding Officer of submarine HANGOR) was aired. The Admiral paid rich tribute to the valiant crew for their service in defense of the motherland in general and Pakistan Navy in particular. He said that HANGOR is a luminous part of Pakistan Navy history and will always be remembered.