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Undid revision 353734474 by Hj108 (talk)Sources are both Indian and Pakistani and the fact is accepted by both countries.
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Tweaks according to sources of both sides. NPOV policy clearly states both sides of the story should be represented, attempts to convey Indian story only will be reported.
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===1971 war===
===1971 war===
{{main|Sinking of PNS Ghazi}}
{{main|Sinking of PNS Ghazi}}
Sensing a deteriorating military scenario with the transfer of Indian aircraft carrier {{ship|INS|Vikrant|R11|6}} close to [[East Pakistan]], the Pakistan Military decided to negate the threat by deploying its flagship submarine. On 14 November, ''Ghazi'' sailed out of harbour on a [[reconnaissance]] patrol under the command of Cdr. Zafar Muhammad Khan with 92 hands on board. It was expected to report on 26 November.<ref name="ghazi1">
Sensing a deteriorating military scenario with the transfer of Indian [[aircraft carrier]]{{ship|INS|Vikrant|R11|6}} close to [[East Pakistan]], the [[Pakistan Navy]] decided to deploy the ''PNS Ghazi'' to the area in an attempt to negate the threat. On 14 November, ''PNS Ghazi'' sailed out of harbour on a [[reconnaissance]] patrol under the command of Cdr. Zafar Muhammad Khan with 92 hands on board. It was expected to report on 26 November.<ref name="ghazi1">
[http://www.pakdef.info/pakmilitary/navy/1971navalwar/lossofghazi.htm Operations in the Bay of Bengal: The Loss of PNS/M ''Ghazi''].</ref> The submarine was to sail 3,000 miles (4,828 kilometres) around the Indian peninsula from the [[Arabian Sea]] to the [[Bay of Bengal]].
[http://www.pakdef.info/pakmilitary/navy/1971navalwar/lossofghazi.htm Operations in the Bay of Bengal: The Loss of PNS/M ''Ghazi''].</ref> The submarine was to sail 3,000 miles (4,828 kilometres) around the Indian peninsula from the [[Arabian Sea]] to the [[Bay of Bengal]].


According to Indian Vice Admiral Mihir K. Roy, who was Director of Intelligence during this period, its existence was revealed when signal addressed to naval authorities in [[Chittagong]] was intercepted, requesting information on a lubrication oil only used by submarines and minesweepers.<ref name="roy">Mihir K. Roy (1995) War in the Indian Ocean, Spantech & Lancer. ISBN 978-1897829110</ref> ''Vikrant'' was immediately moved to the Andamans. It is assumed that ''Ghazi'', not able to locate ''Vikrant'' decided to mine the port of [[Vishakapatnam]] - the headquarters of India's Eastern Naval Command<ref name="khan">Nasir Khan (2000) A Forgotten Heroic Feat. Pakistan Military Consortium. [[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]. 18 December 2000</ref> with mines having ship count mechanism<ref name="ff">http://www.pakdef.info/pakmilitary/navy/1971navalwar/forgottenfeat.htm</ref><ref name="br">http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/MONITOR/ISSUE4-2/harry.html</ref>. At around midnight 3-4 Dec PNS Ghazi began it's operation of laying mines. At the same time Indian destroyer INS Rajput started moving out of port on a mission to Bangladesh<ref name="br" /><ref name="al">http://www.almanacwhf.ru/?no=4&art=6</ref>. What followed was a deadly game where both sides were on tenterhooks. The lookouts on starboard side of INS Rajput reported disturbances in water and depth charges were released<ref name="br" /><ref name="al" />. The submarine sank with all 92 hands on board due to direct or indirect impact of depth charges<ref name="red" /><ref name="hindu" /><ref name="orb" /><ref name="ae" /><ref name="ti" /> around midnight on 3 December 1971 off the Vishakapatnam coast, allowing the Indian Navy to effect a naval blockade of then [[East Pakistan]] (now [[Bangladesh]]).
According to Indian Vice Admiral Mihir K. Roy, who was Director of Intelligence during this period, its existence was revealed when signal addressed to naval authorities in [[Chittagong]] was intercepted, requesting information on a lubrication oil only used by submarines and minesweepers.<ref name="roy">Mihir K. Roy (1995) War in the Indian Ocean, Spantech & Lancer. ISBN 978-1897829110</ref> The ''INS Vikrant'' was immediately moved to the [[Andamans]] with the help of an improvised oil tanker to provide fuel. Due to the size of the [[Bay of Bengal]], ''PNS Ghazi'' was unable to locate ''INS Vikrant'' and decided to mine the port of [[Vishakapatnam]]. This port was the headquarters of India's Eastern Naval Command.<ref name="khan">Nasir Khan (2000) A Forgotten Heroic Feat. Pakistan Military Consortium. [[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]. 18 December 2000</ref> <ref name="ff">http://www.pakdef.info/pakmilitary/navy/1971navalwar/forgottenfeat.htm</ref><ref name="br">http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/MONITOR/ISSUE4-2/harry.html</ref>. At around midnight on 3-4 December, PNS Ghazi began mine laying operations.


According to Indian sources, at the same time the Indian destroyer ''INS Rajput'' started moving out of port on a mission to Bangladesh.<ref name="br" /> <ref name="al">http://www.almanacwhf.ru/?no=4&art=6</ref> The lookouts on the starboard side of ''INS Rajput'' reported disturbances in the water and depth charges were released.<ref name="br" /> <ref name="al" /> This is disputed by Pakistan, which argues that the submarine sank due to an accident during the mine laying operations.
⚫
The PNS ''Ghazi'' was the first submarine to be operated by a navy in the [[Indian subcontinent]] and the first submarine casualty in those waters.


The submarine sank with all 92 hands on board around midnight on 3 December 1971 off the Vishakapatnam coast, allowing the [[Indian Navy]] to effect a naval blockade of then [[East Pakistan]] (now [[Bangladesh]]).
⚫
==Aftermath==


⚫
The PNS ''Ghazi'' was the first submarine to be operated by a navy in the [[Indian subcontinent]] and the first submarine casualty in those waters.


⚫
==Aftermath==
===Pakistani version===
===Pakistani version===
According to Pakistan, the ''Ghazi'' sank when the mines it was laying were accidentally detonated. Another more plausible theory, also favored by Pakistan, is that the explosive shock from one of the depth charges set off the [[torpedo]]es and mines (some of which may have been armed for laying) stored aboard the submarine<ref name="ghazi1" />. However, the mines being of the ship count mechanism meant that they would only activate once a safe number of ships have passed over it, making error while laying mines theory impossible.<ref name="ff" /><ref name="br" />
According to Pakistan, ''PNS Ghazi'' most likely sank when the mines it was laying were accidentally detonated.<ref name="ghazi1" /> The mines would have used a "count mechanism" to prevent them being set off by the vessel that laid them, but this mechanism could have been triggered by various events: the ''PNS Ghazi'' itself may have inadvertently passed over the mines during the mine laying operations; patrolling Indian vessels or Indian depth charges may also have tripped the count mechanism of one or more mines.<ref name="khan">{{cite web|accessdate=3 April 2010}}</ref>

Another more plausible theory, also favoured by Pakistan, is that the explosive shock from one of the depth charges set off the [[torpedo]]es and mines (some of which may have been armed for laying) stored aboard the submarine.<ref name="ghazi1" />


===Indian version===
===Indian version===
Line 94: Line 98:
Admiral S. M. Nanda, who commanded the Indian Navy during the 1971 Indo-Pak War, states : "In narrow channels, ships, during an emergency or war, always throw depth charges around them to deter submarines. One of them probably hit the Ghazi. The blow-up was there, but nobody knew what it was all about until the fisherman found the lifejacket".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2007/jan/22inter.htm|title=The Rediff Interview/Admiral S M Nanda (retd) 'Does the US want war with India?' |last=Sengupta|first=Ramananda|date=22 January 2007|work=Interview|publisher=Rediff|language=English|accessdate=26 March 2010|location=India}}</ref>
Admiral S. M. Nanda, who commanded the Indian Navy during the 1971 Indo-Pak War, states : "In narrow channels, ships, during an emergency or war, always throw depth charges around them to deter submarines. One of them probably hit the Ghazi. The blow-up was there, but nobody knew what it was all about until the fisherman found the lifejacket".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2007/jan/22inter.htm|title=The Rediff Interview/Admiral S M Nanda (retd) 'Does the US want war with India?' |last=Sengupta|first=Ramananda|date=22 January 2007|work=Interview|publisher=Rediff|language=English|accessdate=26 March 2010|location=India}}</ref>


According to one Indian source, the Pakistani theory of the submarine's mines causing an explosion in the vessel is impossible because the mines had a "ship count mechanism". This mechanism would have armed the mine only after a certain number of ships passed over it.<ref name="ff" /><ref name="br" />
⚫
===Recovery of sunk vessel===


⚫
===Recovery of sunk vessel===
Following this both the [[United States]] and the [[Soviet Union]] offered to raise the submarine to the surface at their own expense. The Government of India, however, rejected these offers and allowed the submarine to sink further into the mud off the fairway [[buoy]] of Vishakapatham, where it still lies buried under the waters.<ref name="br" /><ref name="tri" />
Following this both the [[United States]] and the [[Soviet Union]] offered to raise the submarine to the surface at their own expense. The Government of India, however, rejected these offers and allowed the submarine to sink further into the mud off the fairway [[buoy]] of Vishakapatham, where it still lies buried under the waters.<ref name="br" /><ref name="tri" />


Revision as of 22:22, 3 April 2010

For the submarine named Ghazi, bought by the Pakistan Navy in 2000, see NRP Cachalote (S165)
USS Diablo in the Caribbean in 1949
History
NamePNS Ghazi
Launched1 December 1944
Commissioned1 June 1964 (Pakistan Navy)
FateSank during the Indo-Pakistan War, 4 December 1971 [1][2][3][4][5][6]
General characteristics
Class and typeTench-class submarine
Displacementlist error: <br /> list (help)
1,570 long tons (1,595 t) surfaced
2,414 long tons (2,453 t) submerged
Length311 ft 8 in (95.00 m)
Beam27 ft 4 in (8.33 m)
Draft15 ft 3 in (4.65 m)
Propulsionlist error: <br /> list (help)
Diesel-electric
4 × Fairbanks-Morse main generator engines, 5,400 hp (4,027 kW)
2 × Elliott main motors with 2,740 hp (2,043 kW)
2 × 126-cell main storage batteries
2 × propellers
113,510 US gallon fuel capacity
Speedlist error: <br /> list (help)
20.25 knots (37.50 km/h; 23.30 mph) surfaced
8.75 knots (16.21 km/h; 10.07 mph) submerged
Rangelist error: <br /> list (help)
11,000 nmi (20,000 km) at 10 kn (19 km/h; 12 mph) surfaced
48 hours at 2 kn (3.7 km/h; 2.3 mph) submerged
Test depth400 ft (120 m)
Complement7 officers and 69 men
Armamentlist error: <br /> list (help)
• 10 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes (6 forward, 4 aft), 24 torpedoes
• 1 × 5" (127 mm)/25-caliber gun
• 2 × 20 mm cannon
• 2 × .30 cal. machine guns

PNS Ghazi (SS 479) was a United States-built submarine that was leased to Pakistan in 1963. It was the first submarine to be operated by the Pakistan Navy (PN) and saw action in the 1965 and 1971 wars between India and Pakistan. The submarine could be armed with up to 28 torpedoes and, in later years, was re-fitted in Turkey for mine-laying capability. It remained the PN's flagship submarine until it sank near the eastern coast of India during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War. Some sources claim the Ghazi was sunk by the Indian Navy destroyer INS Rajput[1][2][3][4][5]; however, other sources dispute this claim, citing unknown circumstances [7]

History

Main article: USS Diablo (SS-479)

Originally launched in 1944 as the Diablo, a long-range Tench-class submarine built by the Portsmouth Navy Yard. She was launched on 1 December 1944, and commissioned on 31 March 1945. In 1962, her hull classification symbol was changed to AGSS-479.

In 1963, Diablo was transferred to the Pakistan on a four-year lease under the terms of the Security Assistance Program. After an extensive overhaul and conversion to Fleet Snorkel configuration in the United States, she was commissioned into the Pakistani Navy as PNS Ghazi on 1 June 1964. She reported for duty in Karachi in September of that year.

Operational Service

This section deals with the Ghazi's service record with the Pakistan Navy. For more information about its previous service with the US Navy, see Diablo (SS-479)

1965 war

Ghazi was deployed in the Indo-Pakistani war of 1965 to attack heavy ships of the Indian Navy, and the ships aiding Operation Dwarka. Though it did not score any hits, it was a significant threat. It won 10 awards including two decorations of Sitara-e-Jurat and the President's citations.The Second in Command Lt Commander Ahmed Tasnim won a Sitara e Jurat.

After the war, the submarine was sent to Turkey for a $1.5 million refit in 1967-68. Her spares were to be provided from Turkish stocks.

1971 war

Main article: Sinking of PNS Ghazi

Sensing a deteriorating military scenario with the transfer of Indian aircraft carrierINS Vikrant close to East Pakistan, the Pakistan Navy decided to deploy the PNS Ghazi to the area in an attempt to negate the threat. On 14 November, PNS Ghazi sailed out of harbour on a reconnaissance patrol under the command of Cdr. Zafar Muhammad Khan with 92 hands on board. It was expected to report on 26 November.[8] The submarine was to sail 3,000 miles (4,828 kilometres) around the Indian peninsula from the Arabian Sea to the Bay of Bengal.

According to Indian Vice Admiral Mihir K. Roy, who was Director of Intelligence during this period, its existence was revealed when signal addressed to naval authorities in Chittagong was intercepted, requesting information on a lubrication oil only used by submarines and minesweepers.[9] The INS Vikrant was immediately moved to the Andamans with the help of an improvised oil tanker to provide fuel. Due to the size of the Bay of Bengal, PNS Ghazi was unable to locate INS Vikrant and decided to mine the port of Vishakapatnam. This port was the headquarters of India's Eastern Naval Command.[10] [11][12]. At around midnight on 3-4 December, PNS Ghazi began mine laying operations.

According to Indian sources, at the same time the Indian destroyer INS Rajput started moving out of port on a mission to Bangladesh.[12] [13] The lookouts on the starboard side of INS Rajput reported disturbances in the water and depth charges were released.[12] [13] This is disputed by Pakistan, which argues that the submarine sank due to an accident during the mine laying operations.

The submarine sank with all 92 hands on board around midnight on 3 December 1971 off the Vishakapatnam coast, allowing the Indian Navy to effect a naval blockade of then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).

The PNS Ghazi was the first submarine to be operated by a navy in the Indian subcontinent and the first submarine casualty in those waters.

Aftermath

Pakistani version

According to Pakistan, PNS Ghazi most likely sank when the mines it was laying were accidentally detonated.[8] The mines would have used a "count mechanism" to prevent them being set off by the vessel that laid them, but this mechanism could have been triggered by various events: the PNS Ghazi itself may have inadvertently passed over the mines during the mine laying operations; patrolling Indian vessels or Indian depth charges may also have tripped the count mechanism of one or more mines.[10]

Another more plausible theory, also favoured by Pakistan, is that the explosive shock from one of the depth charges set off the torpedoes and mines (some of which may have been armed for laying) stored aboard the submarine.[8]

Indian version

India claimed that the submarine was sunk following a series of successful manoeuvres by the Indian Navy. Later some items of the ship like the log book and official Pakistani tapes, were displayed in India's Eastern Naval Command.[14] A submarine rescue vessel, INS Nishtar was sent to check the debris. India later built a "Victory Memorial" on the coast near where the Ghazi was sunk.[15]

Admiral Roy of India states : "The theories propounded earlier by some who were unaware of the ruse de guerre leading to the sinking of the first submarine in the Indian Ocean gave rise to smirks from within our own (Indian) naval service for an operation which instead merited a Bravo Zulu (flag hoist for bravery)".[9]

Admiral S. M. Nanda, who commanded the Indian Navy during the 1971 Indo-Pak War, states : "In narrow channels, ships, during an emergency or war, always throw depth charges around them to deter submarines. One of them probably hit the Ghazi. The blow-up was there, but nobody knew what it was all about until the fisherman found the lifejacket".[16]

According to one Indian source, the Pakistani theory of the submarine's mines causing an explosion in the vessel is impossible because the mines had a "ship count mechanism". This mechanism would have armed the mine only after a certain number of ships passed over it.[11][12]

Recovery of sunk vessel

Following this both the United States and the Soviet Union offered to raise the submarine to the surface at their own expense. The Government of India, however, rejected these offers and allowed the submarine to sink further into the mud off the fairway buoy of Vishakapatham, where it still lies buried under the waters.[12][14]

References

  1. ^ a b http://www.rediff.com/news/2007/jan/22inter.htm
  2. ^ a b http://www.thehindu.com/mp/2006/12/02/stories/2006120202090100.htm
  3. ^ a b http://www.orbat.com/site/cimh/navy/kills%281971%29-2.pdf
  4. ^ a b http://www.rediff.com/news/jan/09vikran.htm
  5. ^ a b http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030824/spectrum/main6.htm
  6. ^ Seapower: A Guide for the Twenty-first Century By Geoffrey Till
  7. ^ Seapower: A Guide for the Twenty-first Century By Geoffrey Till
  8. ^ a b c Operations in the Bay of Bengal: The Loss of PNS/M Ghazi.
  9. ^ a b Mihir K. Roy (1995) War in the Indian Ocean, Spantech & Lancer. ISBN 978-1897829110
  10. ^ a b Nasir Khan (2000) A Forgotten Heroic Feat. Pakistan Military Consortium. Dawn. 18 December 2000 Cite error: The named reference "khan" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  11. ^ a b http://www.pakdef.info/pakmilitary/navy/1971navalwar/forgottenfeat.htm
  12. ^ a b c d e http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/MONITOR/ISSUE4-2/harry.html
  13. ^ a b http://www.almanacwhf.ru/?no=4&art=6
  14. ^ a b Trilochan Singh Trewn (July 21, 2002). "Naval museums give glimpse of maritime history". The Tribune. Retrieved May 16, 2007. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |dateformat= ignored (help)
  15. ^ "India/Andhra Pradesh/Visakhapatnam". WikiMapia. Retrieved May 16, 2007. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dateformat= ignored (help)
  16. ^ Sengupta, Ramananda (22 January 2007). "The Rediff Interview/Admiral S M Nanda (retd) 'Does the US want war with India?'". Interview. India: Rediff. Retrieved 26 March 2010.

External links


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