IT was probably French classicist François de La Rochefoucauld who stressed that true bravery is shown by performing without witness what one might be capable of doing before the whole world. This is, indeed, an apt description of what was done by 93 men who were on board Pakistan Navy submarine PNS/M Ghazi in November 1971.

They were aware that during their 3,000-mile journey, Ghazi would have to pass precariously close to a number of Indian naval installations well equipped to detect their presence.

Besides, the submarine was not in a cent per cent seaworthy condition. All these risks became secondary in view of the strategic nature of the mission, which was to prevent at all costs giving a free hand in the Bay of Bengal to the Indian Navy and its sole aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.

Having set out on Nov 14, 1971, Ghazi approached Visakhapatnam on Nov 30 and started laying mines near the mouth of the harbour. Ghazi was a World War II Vintage Class submarine, and the long journey had taken its toll on the engine by then. What transpired thereafter remains shrouded in mystery.

From what could be gleaned through news trickling in over the years, Ghazi did not meet its end through enemy action. The loss has been attributed to an internal explosion in its forward torpedo room (FTR), triggered most likely as a result of explosion of one of the batteries in the forward battery compartment that shared a common bulkhead with the FTR. Two closely spaced massive explosions were reportedly heard in Visakhapatnam around midnight Dec 3.

Pakistan Navy has named the naval base at Islamabad as PNS Zafar, after the commanding officer of the submarine, Cdr Zafar Muhammad Khan. Other naval installations have also been named after Ghazi.

However, a simmering discontent feeling exists that the ultimate sacrifice offered by the submarine’s valiant crew has largely gone unrecognised and unreported owing to the secrecy surroun- ding the submarine’s mission. The valiant crew must be recognised with due gallantry awards posthumously.

Nasir Khan
Karachi

Published in Dawn, January 20th, 2024