India-Pakistan War Veteran Who Bombarded Karachi Port In 1971, Passes Away At 94

Commodore Rao was instrumental in sinking two Pakistani destroyers and one minesweeper. He was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra for his crucial role in Operation Trident.

Photo Courtesy: Twitter/@Indiannavy

New Delhi: Commodore Kasargod Patnashetti Gopal Rao MVC VSM (Retd), the veteran of the 1971 India-Pakistan war who was instrumental in sinking two Pakistani destroyers and one minesweeper passed away in Chennai.

He breathed his last on Sunday nearly two weeks after being felicitated on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of 1971 War Victory.

Commodore Kasargod Patnashetti Gopal Rao was born on November 13, 1926 and was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra for his crucial role in Operation Trident - India's second-highest military decoration.

The Indian Navy shared a press statement honouring the war veteran.

"On the night of 04/05 December 1971 during the Indo-Pak operations, a small task group of the Western fleet carried out an offensive sweep on the port of Karachi. Notwithstanding the threat of enemy air, surface and submarine attack, Commander Kasargod Patnashetti Gopal Rao led task group deep into enemy waters and located two groups of larger Navy warships," the release informed.

"Despite heavy gunfire from enemy destroyers Commander Rao carried out a determined attack which resulted in the sinking of two enemy destroyers and one minesweeper. After the surface engagement with the Navy warships, Commander Rao led his task group to invade deep into enemy waters and successfully bombarded Karachi port setting fire to oil and other installations in the harbour," it added.

In this operation Commander Kasargod Patnashetti Gopal Rao displayed conspicuous gallantry and outstanding leadership in the best traditions of the Indian Navy and was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, the Navy wrote in the war veteran's honour

Only July 22, Rao was felicitated by Governor Banwarilal Purohit and General-Officer-Commanding Dakshin Bharat Area Lt Gen A. Arun on the occasion of Swarnim Vijay Varsh Celebrations organised by the Indian Army in Chennai.