By Sanobar Nadir
Hasbuna Allahu wa Ni’mal Wakeel — “Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best disposer of affairs.”
For the men and women who stand watch over Pakistan’s waters, faith and duty have long been closely connected. At sea, courage is reinforced by discipline, training and a sense of responsibility towards the country they serve.
September 8 provides an opportunity to remember the sailors who defended Pakistan during some of its most difficult hours, including those who took part in the 1965 naval operation against the Indian coastal town of Dwarka.
The strength of a navy, however, cannot be measured by the number of ships in its fleet alone. Its effectiveness also depends on the training, discipline and determination of its personnel. A smaller force can achieve significant objectives when its people are prepared, coordinated and united by a clear mission.
On the night of September 7–8, 1965, a group of Pakistan Navy warships sailed towards Dwarka. The task group included PNS Babur, PNS Khyber, PNS Badr, PNS Jahangir, PNS Alamgir, PNS Shah Jahan and PNS Tipu Sultan.
The operation sought to strike shore installations, including a radar facility that Pakistan regarded as important to Indian military operations.
Moving through the darkness, the ships approached their target before opening fire. The bombardment damaged installations in the area and caused alarm along the Indian coast.
Known as Operation Somnath, the mission became part of Pakistan Navy’s history and was later remembered as an example of naval planning and operational determination.
The events of 1965 also highlighted a broader lesson about military preparedness: equipment alone cannot determine the outcome of an operation. Training, coordination and the ability of personnel to operate under pressure remain critical.
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More than six decades later, the maritime security environment has changed dramatically.
Naval warfare now extends beyond conventional ships and submarines. Long-range missiles, unmanned aerial systems, satellite surveillance, cyber threats, electronic warfare and information operations have transformed the way maritime forces prepare for conflict.
The Pakistan Navy conducts exercises involving ships, submarines, aircraft, marines, special forces and unmanned systems to strengthen coordination and test operational capabilities.
One such exercise, SEASPARK-2026, was held in Karachi and brought together multiple elements of the Pakistan Navy. The exercise focused on joint operations and the ability to respond to rapidly changing security situations.
Such exercises are intended not merely to demonstrate military equipment but to test communication, decision-making and coordination between different units. They allow personnel to identify weaknesses and improve their ability to respond collectively.
Maritime readiness also has an economic dimension.
Pakistan relies heavily on the sea for international trade, energy supplies and communication links. Protecting ports and maintaining secure maritime routes therefore carries significance beyond military defence.
The Navy’s role becomes particularly important during periods of heightened regional tension, when the security of commercial shipping and coastal infrastructure can come under greater pressure.
During Marka-e-Haq, Pakistan said its maritime forces maintained heightened vigilance as tensions with India escalated. Naval assets, maritime patrol aircraft and other elements were deployed to monitor activity and protect the country’s maritime interests.
The episode also underscored how modern maritime operations increasingly combine conventional naval capabilities with surveillance, unmanned systems and information technologies.
Yet a navy’s responsibilities extend beyond wartime operations.
Pakistan Navy personnel regularly participate in maritime security cooperation and multinational exercises aimed at addressing challenges such as piracy, terrorism, trafficking and threats to commercial shipping.
Its ships have also participated in international maritime security and anti-piracy missions away from Pakistan’s coastline, contributing to efforts to protect important sea routes used by global commerce.
The Navy also has a role during natural disasters and humanitarian emergencies. When floods, storms or other crises affect coastal communities, its ships, aircraft and personnel can support rescue and relief operations.
The same discipline required during military operations can become essential during humanitarian missions. A warship can transport relief supplies, while helicopters and aircraft can assist in search-and-rescue operations. Personnel trained for combat can also serve as rescuers when civilians are in danger.
This humanitarian role represents another dimension of naval service — one that continues during peacetime and whenever communities require assistance.
September 8 is therefore not only a day to recall a historic naval operation. It is also an occasion to recognise the sacrifices of Pakistan Navy personnel, honour its veterans and remember those who lost their lives in the service of the country.
For sailors deployed at sea, duty often means long periods away from their families and public attention. Their work nevertheless remains connected to the wider security of Pakistan and its maritime interests.
The sea does not stop for darkness, storms or uncertainty. Those who guard it must remain prepared for changing circumstances.
Ships may evolve, technology may advance and threats may take new forms, but the fundamental demands of naval service remain the same: courage, discipline, preparedness and commitment.
Wherever Pakistan’s flag flies at sea, its sailors carry the responsibility of defending the country, supporting its people and remaining ready for the challenges ahead.
