Operation Trident

Why in news?

• India celebrates December 4 as Navy Day to commemorate Operation Trident.

About operation Trident:

• It was a key offensive during the 1971 India-Pakistan War, when the Indian Navy inflicted heavy damage on Pakistani vessels in Karachi harbour. 
• The India-Pakistan War of 1971 had begun on December 3, when the Pakistan Air Force launched pre-emptive strikes on airfields in Western India and India responded by formally declaring war on December 4.
• On December 4, under Operation Trident, the Indian Navy sank three vessels near the Pakistani port city of Karachi.
• While India suffered no losses, Pakistan lost a minesweeper, a destroyer, a cargo vessel carrying ammunition, and fuel storage tanks in Karachi. Another destroyer was also badly damaged and eventually scrapped.
• The Indian Air Force also played a crucial role during Operation Trident, when Karachi’s oil tanks were destroyed in IAF raids.
• Operation Trident saw the first use of anti-ship missiles in combat in the region.

PRELIMS QUESTION

Consider the following pairs of military operations and Wars associated with them:
1.Operation Trident         1971 Indo-Pak War
2.Battle of Assal Uttar    1965 Indo-Pak War
3.Operation Vijay             Kargil War
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
(a)1 only
(b)1 and 2 only
(c)2 and 3 only
(d)1,2 and 3

Answer to prelims question