INS Khukri Last Stand: How Pakistan’s Hangor Sank Indian Navy Warship in 1971 War

The sinking of INS Khukri during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War remains one of the most significant and tragic moments in the history of the Indian Navy. The warship was torpedoed by the Pakistani submarine PNS Hangor while on an anti-submarine mission in the Arabian Sea, resulting in the loss of the vessel and many of its crew members.

The incident occurred on December 9, 1971, during the intense naval operations that were part of the larger India-Pakistan conflict. INS Khukri, a Blackwood-class anti-submarine warfare frigate, was deployed along with other naval ships to detect and destroy enemy submarines operating in the region.

At the time, intelligence reports indicated that PNS Hangor, a Pakistani submarine, was active in the waters off India’s western coast. The Indian Navy launched operations to track and neutralize the submarine threat. INS Khukri was part of the naval group assigned to carry out this anti-submarine mission.

During the operation, PNS Hangor successfully launched torpedoes targeting the Indian warship. One of the torpedoes struck INS Khukri, causing massive damage. The attack resulted in rapid flooding and critical structural damage to the ship, leaving very little time for evacuation.

Within minutes of being hit, the warship began to sink into the Arabian Sea. The sudden attack and quick sinking made rescue operations extremely difficult, and many sailors were unable to escape in time.

Among the most remembered aspects of the tragedy is the extraordinary courage displayed by Captain Mahendra Nath Mulla, the commanding officer of INS Khukri. According to naval accounts, Captain Mulla chose to remain on the ship even as it was sinking.

Following the long-standing maritime tradition that the captain stays with the ship, he ensured that as many crew members as possible were given the opportunity to evacuate safely. Eyewitness accounts suggest that he calmly oversaw the evacuation process and refused to abandon his post despite the imminent danger.

Captain Mahendra Nath Mulla ultimately went down with the ship, becoming a symbol of courage, duty, and leadership within the Indian Navy. His actions during the final moments of INS Khukri have been widely remembered as an example of extraordinary dedication to responsibility and honour.

The sinking of INS Khukri marked a rare event in modern naval warfare. Since the end of World War II, only a handful of warships have been destroyed by submarine torpedoes during active conflict. INS Khukri remains the first and only Indian Navy ship to be lost in action due to a submarine attack.

The sacrifice of the crew and their commanding officer continues to be honoured in India’s naval history. Memorials, naval traditions, and historical records remember the bravery displayed during the final moments of the ship.

The story of INS Khukri stands as a reminder of the risks faced by naval personnel during wartime and the courage required to serve in hostile maritime environments. Even decades later, the incident remains an important chapter in the legacy of the Indian Navy and its commitment to duty and sacrifice.