GHAZI (S-130) – THE SUBMARINE DREADED BY THE ENEMY

During the 1971 war, the submarine GHAZI sailed for a daring mission and arrived at its destination Visakhapatnam on the eastern coast of India in the Bay of Bengal. The cause of her loss on 4th December 1971 is still being debated, but the very fact that it was in shallow waters at the entrance of the harbour indicates the brave resolve of the crew to strangle the enemy at its door front. The memory of GHAZI’s brave crew will always remain with us.

But GHAZI DAY also aroused another question, whether we as a service and a nation have given due recognition to this very important event in our history. Suddenly I remembered what a daughter of my friend who met Shahadat onboard GHAZI queried me when I went to see her in Albany, New York, USA a few years ago. She was born after the GHAZI episode, she questioned me that everyone says my father Lieutenant Nazir Ahmed Awan was a brilliant officer, he was winner of the coveted Sword of Honour, he laid his life in the service of the country. The submarine GHAZI is his grave far away in the Indian Ocean. All these are mere stories. I am sure, such are the feelings of the family members of all the other valiant crew of the S-130.

In a casual discussion with the most decorated war hero of Pakistan Navy, Vice Admiral Ahmed Tasnim, Sitara e Jurrat and Bar who was from the original crew of GHAZI and was also its Commanding Officer. Reminiscing over the crew list he had tears in his eyes, many were from the original crew of 1964 and others had served under him when he was in command of this boat. He mentioned that most painful was the fact that the CO and XO of GHAZI left his submarine HANGOR to join GHAZI.

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There is no doubt that the valour and steadfastness displayed by the submarine’s crew in traversing 3000 nautical miles of hostile waters and laying mines in shallow waters at the grave risk of being detected and sure death should not be wasted and be recognized at the National level. The ultimate sacrifice of the 93 valiant crew members be recognized and GHAZI be considered for a befitting award bestowed posthumously on the submarine. This would serve as a soothing balm, as well as give pride to the families of 93 valiant crew members.

Written By: Cdre (R) Nasim Ghafoor

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