Role of the Indian Navy in the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971

Background

In 1971, East Pakistan (present-day Bangladesh) was fighting for its independence from Pakistan. India, which shared a border with East Pakistan, provided support to the independence movement. Pakistan, in turn, launched a military operation in East Pakistan to quell the uprising. The conflict soon escalated into a full-fledged war between India and Pakistan.

Role of the Indian Navy

The Indian Navy contributed to the war by enforcing a naval blockade of East Pakistan. The blockade aimed to cut off the supplies and reinforcements from West Pakistan to East Pakistan. The Indian Navy's task force was divided into two groups: the Eastern Fleet and the Western Fleet.

The Eastern Fleet, which was based in Visakhapatnam, was responsible for patrolling the Bay of Bengal and preventing any enemy vessels from reaching the ports of East Pakistan. The fleet consisted of aircraft carriers, frigates, destroyers, and submarines. The flagship of the Eastern Fleet was INS Vikrant, which played a critical role in the war.

The Western Fleet, which was based in Bombay (now Mumbai), was responsible for guarding the Arabian Sea and preventing any enemy vessels from entering the Indian waters. It consisted of frigates, destroyers, and submarines.

The Indian Navy's blockade of East Pakistan had a severe impact on the Pakistani military's ability to resupply its forces in the region. The Pakistani Navy, which had a small fleet of vessels, was unable to break the force’s blockade.

The Navy also launched a series of missile attacks on the ports and airfields in East Pakistan, causing significant damage to the Pakistani military's infrastructure in the region. The attacks disrupted the Pakistani military's supply lines and made it difficult for them to transport troops and equipment.

One of the most significant contributions of the Indian Navy during the war was the role played by its submarines. They were used to gather intelligence on the Pakistani Navy's movements and to carry out covert operations against the enemy.

Conclusion

The naval blockade of East Pakistan by the Indian Navy had a severe impact on the Pakistani military's ability to resupply its forces in the region. The force's missile attacks on the ports and airfields in East Pakistan disrupted the Pakistani military's supply lines and made it difficult for them to transport troops and equipment. The role of the Indian Navy's submarines in the war was also significant. The Indian Navy's efforts played a crucial role in the ultimate victory of India in the war and the formation of the independent state of Bangladesh.