Operation Trident (1971)

Operation Trident
Part of Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
Date 4–5 December 1971 Location Arabian Sea, 14–17 nautical miles (26–31 km; 16–20 mi) south of the Port of Karachi, Pakistan. Result Strategic Indian naval victory and partial naval blockade on Pakistan.
Belligerents
India	Pakistan
Commanders and leaders
K. P. Gopal Rao Babru Bhan Yadav	M. A. K. Lodhi
Units involved
Indian Navy	Pakistan Navy
Strength
Three Vidyut-class missile boats Two Arnala-class anti-submarine corvettes One fleet tanker	Ships deployed off the coast of Karachi
Casualties and losses
None	1 destroyer sunk 1 minesweeper sunk 1 cargo ship sunk 1 destroyer badly damaged, scrapped as result Karachi harbour fuel storage tanks destroyed 255 naval personnel killed

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.