By Sanobar Nadir
There is a different kind of silence at sea.
From the shore, the Arabian Sea may appear endless and peaceful beneath the morning sun. For the men and women responsible for protecting Pakistan’s maritime frontiers, however, those waters represent a duty that never sleeps.
Beyond the horizon lie the routes through which Pakistan’s trade moves, the waters connecting the country to the world and the approaches from which threats could emerge.
This is where the Pakistan Navy stands.
The Navy’s Role in the 1965 War
When war broke out between Pakistan and India in September 1965, the Indian Navy possessed a considerably larger fleet. Pakistan’s naval force was smaller, but its sailors remained determined to protect the coastline and prevent the enemy from gaining an advantage at sea.
While the Pakistan Army resisted Indian aggression on land and the Pakistan Air Force established its reputation in the skies, the Pakistan Navy continued to guard the country’s maritime frontier.
Defence of Pakistan Rally to Be Held in Karachi on September 6
The Navy’s performance during the conflict demonstrated that numerical strength alone does not determine the outcome of a military engagement.
Operation Somnath and the Attack on Dwarka
One of the most notable episodes came on the night of September 7, when a Pakistan Navy task force moved towards the Indian coastal town of Dwarka.
In the early hours of September 8, Pakistani warships carried out Operation Somnath, targeting shore installations at Dwarka.
The operation demonstrated Pakistan’s willingness to take the fight beyond its immediate defensive waters when circumstances demanded it.
For the Pakistan Navy, Operation Somnath became a symbol of operational planning, professional courage and confidence under pressure. The operation remains an important chapter in the Navy’s history and is commemorated as part of the service’s wartime legacy.
PNS Ghazi and the 1971 War
The Navy’s wartime legacy also includes the submarine PNS Ghazi, whose patrols during the 1965 conflict placed pressure on the opposing fleet and helped strengthen Pakistan’s maritime deterrence.
When war returned in 1971, PNS Ghazi was lost near Visakhapatnam while operating in enemy waters. Its crew became part of the sacrifices remembered from that conflict.
The Pakistan Navy nevertheless continued to fight.
On December 9, 1971, PNS Hangor sank the Indian frigate INS Khukri. The engagement remains one of the most significant episodes in the history of Pakistan’s submarine service.
The sacrifices and achievements of the Navy across the 1965 and 1971 wars continue to form an important part of Pakistan’s Defence Day commemorations.
From Wartime Defence to Peacetime Security
The Navy’s role extends beyond conventional warfare.
Along Pakistan’s coastline, naval personnel continue to conduct maritime security operations and support efforts against threats such as narcotics trafficking and human smuggling.
These missions may receive less public attention than wartime engagements, but they reflect the same vigilance required to protect Pakistan’s maritime interests.
The Navy also plays a role in maintaining security across the country’s coastal approaches and protecting vital maritime routes.
A Legacy Carried Forward
The legacy of the Navy’s wartime personnel continues to influence successive generations of officers and sailors.
The stories of PNS Ghazi, PNS Hangor and the squadron involved in Operation Somnath represent a tradition built around the belief that Pakistan’s waters, like its land and airspace, must remain protected.
That legacy also extends into more recent periods of heightened tensions between Pakistan and India, when the Navy has remained an important component of the country’s overall defence posture.
For those serving at sea, the responsibility is not limited to commemorating past sacrifices. It also involves remaining prepared to protect Pakistan’s maritime sovereignty against emerging threats.
Remembering the Men in White
The sailors who served during Pakistan’s wars faced significant challenges and, in many cases, made the ultimate sacrifice for the country.
Their courage remains part of the Pakistan Navy’s institutional memory.
Every generation of naval personnel inherits that legacy, along with the responsibility to protect the country’s coastline and maritime interests.
As Pakistan observes another Defence Day, the Navy’s history serves as a reminder that the country’s defence has never been limited to the battlefield on land or the skies above it.
From the waters surrounding Dwarka to submarine patrols and today’s maritime security operations, Pakistan’s naval forces have continued to carry the same commitment: to safeguard the country’s sovereignty and protect its waters.
“Hasbunallahu wa Ni’mal Wakeel” remains a phrase associated with the resolve of generations who have stood watch over Pakistan’s seas.
The Arabian Sea may appear calm from the shore, but beyond the horizon, the responsibility continues.
Pakistan’s waters, like its land and skies, remain a frontline of national defence.
