ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's prime minister and president honored Navy war martyrs Tuesday on Navy Day, commemorating Operation Dwarka, the 1965 naval assault on the Indian coastal city of Dwarka that became a defining moment in Pakistan's maritime military history.
In a post on X, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Operation Dwarka and submarine Ghazi's role in the 1965 war were important to Pakistan's history.
He called the operations proof of the Navy's courage and precision in defending the country's seas.
"The nation stands proud of the Pakistan Navy's professionalism, operational readiness and steadfast service in safeguarding our seas and advancing Pakistan's maritime interests," he said.
President Asif Ali Zardari said the operation showed the Pakistan Navy's strength and commitment to maritime defense.
"The daring Pakistan Navy Operation Somnath against the Indian Naval coastal station Dwarka on the night of September 7-8, 1965 reminds us of our Navy's glorious past," he said in a post on X.
Pakistan observes Navy Day on Sept 8 to mark the Pakistan Navy's role in the 1965 war.
Defending Pakistan's sovereignty
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, in a message marking the day, said Pakistan's Armed Forces had remained vigilant against threats to the country's security since its inception.
"Since the inception of our homeland, we have confronted the brutal reality of an adversary driven by ulterior motives to weaken and sabotage our existence," he said.
The defense of Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity had "never been a choice" but remained an "enduring cause," he added.
According to the naval chief, "the spirit of that resolve was immortalized on September 6, 1965, when the Armed Forces demonstrated extraordinary courage, unshakeable faith and exceptional professionalism" in repelling an unprovoked aggression.
He stated that "the same spirit" was demonstrated decades later during Operation Marka-e-Haq, when Pakistan faced a hostile attempt to challenge its security under false pretexts.
"Our resolute, coordinated response reaffirmed that Pakistan's defenders possess both the capability to counter immediate threats and the strategic vision to adapt to the evolving character of warfare," he said. "Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with our sister services and the resilient people of Pakistan, we remain fully prepared to confront every challenge, protect our vital maritime interests and ensure that our beloved homeland continues its journey towards peace, security and prosperity."
The 1965 Operation
Seven Pakistani warships attacked Dwarka on the night of September 7-8, 1965, destroying an Indian radar station and radio beacon, according to Radio Pakistan. The operation occurred during a brief war between the two nations that lasted about a month.
Submarine Ghazi played a significant role in the conflict, according to Pakistani military records. India and Pakistan signed a ceasefire agreement on September 23, 1965, ending the war.