Naval Cmdr who bombed Karachi in 1971 dies

Tribune News Service

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New Delhi, July 1

Commander BN Kavina, a Vir Chakra recipient, who led his warship to launch a missile attack on Keamari oil refinery at Karachi harbour during the 1971 war with Pakistan, has died in Adelaide, Australia, where he was living with his son. He was 80 years of age.

During the war, he was commanding officer of the INS Nipat, which was part of flotilla of three warships under the 25th missile squadron tasked to launch missiles at Karachi under ‘Operation Trident’. Commodore BB Yadav was leading the flotilla. He died in 2010. 

Lieutenant Commander (later promoted as Commander) BN Kavina on December 4, 1971, along with Commander (later Commodore) BB Yadav took INS Nipat to within 25 km of the Pakistan shore, from where they fired a Soviet Union supplied Styx missile at the Keamari oil terminal, setting off a blaze.

This set the stage for the second missile attack on Karachi after which what was left of the Pakistani fleet never again ventured out to sea. Thereafter, the Indian Navy was in total control of the seas during 1971.

INS Nirghat led by Lieutenant Commander IJ Sharma launched missiles at PNS Khaiber around 10.30 pm that night. INS Nipat sank merchant vessel Venus Challenger carrying ammunition and crippled its escort, destroyer PNS Shah Jehan. INS Veer led by Lieutenant Commander OP Mehta fired at minesweeper PNS Muhafiz, sinking it.

Commander Yadav was awarded the Mahavir Chakra, the second highest gallantry medal while Kavina, Sharma and Mehta – all his juniors – got the Vir Chakra, the third highest gallantry medal. 

Destroyed Pak’s sea power 

• Lieutenant Commander (later promoted as Commander) BN Kavina on December 4, 1971, took INS Nipat to within 25 km of the Karachi shore and fired a missile at Keamari oil terminal, setting it on fire
• This set the stage for the second missile attack on Karachi after which what was left of the Pakistani fleet never again ventured out to sea. Thereafter, the Indian Navy was in total control of the seas during 1971