KARACHI: Pakistan Navy on Thursday celebrated Hangor Day, reminiscent of the heroic act and unrivaled courage of its submarine, Hangor, and the veterans of the 1971 war. The remarkable action, distinguished in the naval history as the first successful kill by any submarine after WW-II, had been taken south east of ‘Diu Head’ on the west coast of India 50 years ago.

The golden jubilee of the sinking of the Indian navy ship ‘Khukri’ involved an impressive ceremony at Karachi. Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Mohammed Amjad Khan Niazi graced the occasion as the chief guest. Retired vice admiral Ahmad Tasnim, the then commander, was the guest of honour.

Admiral Niazi told the audience that the Pakistan Navy was ready to respond to any threat and misadventure posed by any adversary. ‘Hangor’s triumph serves as a lesson to the enemy and a testimony of highest standard of professionalism and selfless devotion of our veteran submariners,” he said.

The naval chief highlighted Hangor’s valour during the 1971 war saying that the action was not only a spectacular tactical battle executed perfectly, but it was also in the strategic domain that Indian aggressive designs were effectively neutralised.

He said that the sinking of ‘INS Khukri’ plummeted the morale and will of the Indian navy to engage further in the battle. He also underscored the inspirational role to the veterans’ dauntless sacrifices and daring acts that helped transform PN into a “force to be reckoned with”.

The ceremony was attended by Hangor’s veterans and a large number of senior serving and retired naval officers. The valiant hero, retired vice admiral Ahmad Tasnim who had led the intrepid action, also spoke. He attributed the success to the entire team and crew members who formed the stepping stones to achieve the final kill.

Commemorating the Golden Jubilee of Hangor Day, steel cutting of the 5th Hangor class submarine, the first to be built indigenously in Pakistan, was also held at the Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KS&EW).

The submarine would be named as ‘PNS Tasnim’ upon its commissioning. The naval chief expressed his gratitude to all those involved in the construction activities and termed the steel cutting ceremony another event of deepening relation between Pakistan and China.

The ceremony was attended by representatives of DA China and other high-ranking officials including distinguished guests from the embassy of China in Islamabad.

On the 50th Hangor Day, the promo of a special telefilm ‘Hangor S-131’ was also released. Besides, a submarine seminar on ‘Technological Advent in Artificial Intelligence: Impact On Sub-Surface Domain’ was also held at the Jauhar Auditorium, Karachi. Other major features of the celebration included the launch of a book, Story of PNS Hangor, authored by retired rear admiral Mian Zahir Shah, along with issuance of a commemorative stamp and a coin.

Published in Dawn, December 10th, 2021