“President’s Standard” awarded to Missile Vessel squadron “Killers” for gallantry shown in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war
President Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday will award the Indian Navy’s 22nd Missile Vessel Squadron the “President Standard,” which is a rare honor for distinguished service done for the nation.
The missile vessel squadron had sunk a number of Pakistan Navy Ships in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war for which the ‘President Standard’ is being awarded.
The Indian Navy was already awarded the President’s Colours on May 27 by the first President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
The ‘President Standard’ is an award granted to a relatively smaller formation or unit of the defense forces as stated by navy officials.
The year 2021 marks the 50th year of the inception of the Missile Vessel Squadron, which has been nicknamed “Killers,” as this squadron has maintained its capability of offensive warfare to mitigate any naval threat to our nation.
This squadron has participated in a number of operations like Operation Vijay, Operation Parakram; during the Pulwama terrorist attack, the squadron was deployed within striking distance of the Pakistan coast, which acts as a deterrent for the enemy.
The squadron is based in Mumbai, and the ships in the squadron are capable of moving swiftly and are always in the missile-ready position.
The 22nd missile vessel squadron though established in the year 1991 with an armory of 10 Veer Class and three Prabal missile-carrying boats, has its genesis of “Killers” dating back to 1969.
USSR had helped strengthen our Naval capacity by giving OSA 1 Class missile boats in 1969, and these boats were brought on merchant ships and assembled in Kolkata.
The night of December 4-5, 1971, was the day when the Indian Navy launched an offensive and destroyed a large number of Pakistani Navy Vessels.
This operation was codenamed as “Operation Trident” and was the most successful operations in modern naval history wherein there were no casualties in the Indian Navy.
The 1971 battle has won the squadron one Maha Vir Chakra, seven Vir Chakras, and eight Nausena Medals( Gallantry), which give enough proof that the “Killers” are forces with gallant spirits and are always ready to protect our nation.
As of 1971, December 4 was the first day when blood was drawn by our Indian Naval forces protecting our nation from the threat; December 4 is now celebrated as “Navy Day” to commemorate and honor our Naval forces.
Also, the year 2021, being the 50th anniversary of India’s victory in the 1971 war, is now termed and celebrated by the whole nation as “Swarnim Vijay Varsh,” meaning a “Golden Victory Year.”