| History | |
|---|---|
 Indian Navy | |
| Name | INS Nipat |
| Commissioned | 26 April 1971 |
| Decommissioned | 29 February 1988 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Vidyut-class missile boat |
| Displacement | 245 tons (full load) [1] |
| Length | 38.6 meters |
| Beam | 7.6 meters |
| Speed | 37+ knots |
| Complement | 30 |
| Armament |
|
INS Nipat (K86) was a Vidyut-class missile boat of the Indian Navy. [2] [3] It was part of the 25th "Killer" Missile squadron.
During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, INS Nipat was part of the Operation Trident strike force. On the afternoon of 4 December, the strike group made its way towards Karachi. Late that evening, around 70 miles south of Karachi, the Nipat detected two targets about 42 miles to the northeast, later identified as the merchant vessel, MV Venus Challenger, chartered by the Pakistan Navy to carry US ammunition to East Pakistan and its escort PNS Shah Jahan, a C-class destroyer. Venus Challenger, carrying ammunition for the Pakistani forces, exploded immediately after the missile hit and eventually sank 23 nmi (43 km; 26 mi) south of Karachi. The other missile targeted Shah Jahan and damaged the ship very badly.
The INS Nipat continued towards Karachi and targeted the Kemari oil storage tanks, placing itself 14 nmi (26 km; 16 mi) south of the Karachi Harbour. Two missiles were launched; one misfired, but the other hit the oil tanks, which burned and were destroyed completely. [4]
Other vessels of the strike group sank a Pakistan Navy destroyer PNS Khaibar and a minesweeper PNS Muhafiz.[ citation needed ]
Lieutenant Commander Bahadur Nariman Kavina, the Commanding Officer of the Nipat was awarded the Vir Chakra for his role during the operation. [5] [6]
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Operation Trident was an offensive operation launched by the Indian Navy on Pakistan's port city of Karachi during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. Operation Trident saw the first use of anti-ship missiles in combat in the region. The operation was conducted on the night of 4–5 December and inflicted heavy damage on Pakistani vessels and facilities. While India suffered no losses, Pakistan lost a minesweeper, a destroyer, a cargo vessel carrying ammunition, and fuel storage tanks in Karachi. Another destroyer was also badly damaged and eventually scrapped. India celebrates its Navy Day annually on 4 December to mark this operation. Trident was followed up by Operation Python three days later.
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