PNS Muhafiz
Encyclopedia
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
.
, The minesweeper PNS Muhafiz was tasked to patrol the approaches to port of Karachi. To do so it was deployed on the inner cordon.
Late that evening on 4 Dec 1971, around 70 miles south of Karachi, the INS Veer
detected a large Pakistan Navy
target, later identified as the Muhafiz on patrol to its north. Veer launched 1 SS-N-2 Styx missile on the target, sinking Muhafiz.
It was later learned that at 23:30 the Muhafiz was hit by Styx missiles, and sank in the Indian Ocean at about 23:35.
Other vessels of the Indian Navy
strike group sank a Pakistan Navy destroyer
, PNS Khaibar and the merchant ship Venus Challenger (carrying navy personnel and ammunition for Pakistan), and caused irreparable damage to the destroyer PNS Shah Jahan.
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...
. It was built by USA for transfer to Pakistan. PNS Muhafiz was sunk by a missile from INS Veer
INS Veer (K82)
INS Veer was a Vidyut class missile boat of the Indian Navy.INS Veer was a part of the 25th "Killer" Missile Squadron of the Indian Navy.-Operation Trident:...
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...
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...
.
Operation Trident
During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971Indo-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...
, The minesweeper PNS Muhafiz was tasked to patrol the approaches to port of Karachi. To do so it was deployed on the inner cordon.
Late that evening on 4 Dec 1971, around 70 miles south of Karachi, the INS Veer
INS Veer (K82)
INS Veer was a Vidyut class missile boat of the Indian Navy.INS Veer was a part of the 25th "Killer" Missile Squadron of the Indian Navy.-Operation Trident:...
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 Muhafiz on patrol to its north. Veer launched 1 SS-N-2 Styx missile on the target, sinking Muhafiz.
It was later learned that at 23:30 the Muhafiz was hit by Styx missiles, and sank in the Indian Ocean at about 23:35.
Other vessels 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...
strike group sank a Pakistan Navy 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 and the merchant ship Venus Challenger (carrying navy personnel and ammunition for Pakistan), and caused irreparable damage to the destroyer PNS Shah Jahan.