INS Vinash (K85) 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...

. She was a member of the illustrious 25th Killer Missile Boat Squadron.

Operation Python

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 Vinash was a part of the Operation Python

Operation Python

Operation Python, a follow up to Operation Trident, was a code name of a naval attack launched on West Pakistan's port city of Karachi by the Indian Navy during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971...

 strike force along with INS Talwar

INS Talwar

The following ships of the Indian Navy have been named INS Talwar: was a Type 12, Whitby class frigate commissioned in 1959, which served in the Portuguese-Indian War and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 is the lead ship of her class, currently in active service with the Indian Navy...

 and INS Trishul

INS Trishul

The following ships of the Indian Navy have been named INS Trishul: was a Type 12, Whitby class frigate commissioned in 1960, which served in the Portuguese-Indian War and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 is a Talwar class frigate, currently in active service with the Indian Navy...

. The strike force approached 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...

 on 8 December 1971 in rough seas.

INS Vinash fired 4 SS-N-2B Styx missiles at various targets. The first missile struck the fuel tanks at Keamari Oil Farm. Another missile hit and sunk a Panamian fuel tanker Gulf Star. The third and fourth missiles hit the Pakistan Navy fleet tanker PNS Dacca and the British ship SS Harmattan, which were badly damaged.

Operation Python and its preceding Operation Trident were tremendous successes. The Pakistani fuel reserves for the Karachi sector were destroyed and flames could be seen from 60 miles away. India established complete control over the oil route from the Persian Gulf

Persian Gulf

The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...

 to Pakistani ports. Shipping traffic to and from Karachi, Pakistan's only major port at that time, ceased.

Lt. Cdr. Vijai Jerath, commanding officer of INS Vinash was 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 the operation.