Nestled within the Maritime Museum Karachi, the submarine Hangor stands as a testament to its pivotal role in one of the most remarkable naval missions in South Asian history. In the crucible of the 1971 Pakistan-India war, Hangor achieved an unprecedented feat, sinking the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Khukri in a gripping submarine battle, marking the first such incident since World War II.
Located 58 kilometers off the coast of Diu, Gujarat, India, the sinking of Khukri was a watershed moment in naval warfare. It was the only instance post-World War II where a submarine successfully sank a warship in action. The engagement occurred on December 9, 52 years ago, and is a poignant chapter in the annals of naval history. Amid the deployment of two Indian navy ships to counter the submarine sighting off the Gujarat coast, Khukri succumbed to the depths, while Kirpan sustained irreparable damage.
Hangor, having remained submerged for an extended period during its mission, triumphantly returned on December 13, 1971.
The valor displayed by the crew of Submarine Hangor did not go unnoticed. In recognition of their meritorious service, they were honored with four Sitara-eJurrat (Star of Courage), six Tamgha-e-Jurrat (Medal of Courage), and an impressive 14 Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (Medal of Distinction), marking the highest number of awards bestowed upon any unit of the Pakistan Navy.
Placed within the Maritime museum, Karachi, Submarine Hangor serves as an enduring symbol of determination and victory following its decommissioning. Vice Admiral (Retd) Ahmed Tasneem, the Commanding Officer of PNS Hangor, led the crew through this highly complex and skillful naval mission, a mission he regards as a turning point for the Pakistan Navy.
According to available information, the fateful evening of December 9 witnessed Hangor firing a homing torpedo at Kirpan, initiating a sequence of events.
The torpedo failed to detonate, prompting anti-submarine mortars from Kirpan. In response, Hangor fired a second torpedo at Khukri, hitting it under its oil tanks. Khukri sank within two minutes, a testimony to the precision of Hangor's operation.
Facing retaliation from Kirpan, Hangor, displaying tactical prowess, fired a final torpedo before making a strategic exit. The submarine patrolled the Indian maritime region for the next four days before safely returning to Karachi. The repercussions of this audacious attack reverberated through the 1971 war, marking the most significant loss for the Indian Navy, with 18 officers and 176 sailors losing their lives.
Submarine Ghazi, deployed near Visakhapatnam, proved ineffective for the Indian Navy throughout the conflict, fearing the potential launch of the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. As we commemorate the anniversary of INS Khukri's sinking, submarine Hangor remains an indelible symbol of courage, strategic brilliance, and victory for the Pakistan Navy.
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