INS Nirghat (K89) was a Vidyut class missile boat

Vidyut class missile boat

The Vidyut class missile boats of the Indian Navy were an Indian variant of the Soviet Osa I class.These vessels formed the illustrious 25th "Killer" Missile Boat Squadron, which sunk 2 destroyers, a minesweeper and various other vessels of the Pakistan Navy during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.-...

 of the Indian Navy

Indian Navy

The Indian Navy is the naval branch of the armed forces of India. The President of India serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy. The Chief of Naval Staff , usually a four-star officer in the rank of Admiral, commands the Navy...

.

INS Nirghat was a part of the 25th "Killer" Missile Squadron of the Indian Navy.

Operation Trident

During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971

Indo-Pakistani War of 1971

The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 was a military conflict between India and Pakistan. Indian, Bangladeshi and international sources consider the beginning of the war to be Operation Chengiz Khan, Pakistan's December 3, 1971 pre-emptive strike on 11 Indian airbases...

, INS Nirghat was part of the Operation Trident strike force, along with its sister vessels from the 25th Killer squadron ( and ). On the afternoon of December 4, the strike group made its way towards Karachi

Karachi

Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...

. Late that evening, around 70 miles south of Karachi, the Nirghat detected a large Pakistan Navy

Pakistan Navy

The Pakistan Navy is the naval warfare/service branch of the Pakistan Armed Forces. Pakistan's Navy is responsible for Pakistan's coastline along the Arabian Sea and the defense of important civilian harbors and military bases...

 target, later identified as the destroyer

Destroyer

In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...

 PNS Khaibar, about 45 miles to its northwest. Nirghat launched 2 missiles on PNS Khaibar, sinking it.

Other vessels of strike group sank a Pakistan Navy minesweeper

Minesweeper (ship)

A minesweeper is a small naval warship designed to counter the threat posed by naval mines. Minesweepers generally detect then neutralize mines in advance of other naval operations.-History:...

 PNS Muhafiz

PNS Muhafiz

PNS Muhafiz was an of the Pakistan Navy. It was built by USA for transfer to Pakistan. PNS Muhafiz was sunk by a missile from INS Veer of the Indian Navy during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.-Operation Trident:...

 and the merchant ship MV Venus Challenger.

Lieutenant Commander

Lieutenant Commander

Lieutenant Commander is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a lieutenant and subordinate to a commander...

 Inderjit Sharma, the Commanding Officer

Commanding officer

The commanding officer is the officer in command of a military unit. Typically, the commanding officer has ultimate authority over the unit, and is usually given wide latitude to run the unit as he sees fit, within the bounds of military law...

, and Master Chief M.N. Sangal of the Nirghat were awarded the Vir Chakra

Vir Chakra

Vir Chakra is an Indian gallantry award presented for acts of bravery in the battlefield. Award of the decoration carried with it the right to use Vr.C. as a postnominal abbreviation Vir Chakra is an Indian gallantry award presented for acts of bravery in the battlefield. Award of the decoration...

for their roles during the operation.