Naval officer, who was part of Karachi attack, dies

New Delhi, May 14

Captain Kailash Nath Zadu, who was part of the attack at Karachi harbour during the 1971 war with Pakistan, has died at his home in Bhuntar, Kullu district.

He was 87 years of age and died following a cardiac arrest. He was awarded with a Vir Chakra, the third highest battle honour. During the 1971 war, Captain Zadu was Commanding INS Katchall which was part of flotilla of five warships tasked to bomb Karachi. Named ‘Operation Trident’, it saw the Indian Navy launch an audacious attack from sea to bomb the Pakistani port city. The harbour and Keamari oil terminal were set ablaze and damaged, the Pakistani fleet never again ventured out to sea. Thereafter, the Indian Navy was in total control of the seas during the 1971 war. Naval historian Commodore Srikant Kesnur tweeted INS Katchall and INS Kiltan accompanied the main action force of ‘Op Trident’ INS Nipat, INS Nirghat & INS Veer. “That spectacular attack on Karachi on Dec 4 is etched in history,” he said.

Captain Zadu was cremated on May 11.