EP3 : Operation X : The Indian Navy's Covert War in East Pakistan

Three tiny Indian Navy missile boats raid the Pakistan navy’s headquarters in 1971. They unleash hell. In less than thirty minutes a Pakistani destroyer and minesweeper are sunk. The port of Karachi is set ablaze. It is the Indian Navy’s finest hour.

The Indian Navy's first aircraft carrier INS Vikrant is a naval legend. In the eastern theatre of the 1971 war, the Vikrant carrier battle group and strike aircraft cut off the Pakistan Army's retreat and played a decisive role in the creation of Bangladesh.

India was arming and training Bengali guerrillas to fight against the Pakistan army. This is the story of how an elite unit of 400 commandos was created and trained by the Indian Navy. And how they carried out the covert operation in East Pakistan in 1971. Before the war started.

The Indian army halts a Pakistani offensive with a blistering counter-attack This ferocious battle on the western front in 1971 sees two Param Vir Chakras being awarded. Second Lt Arun Khetarpal becomes the youngest to get India’s highest gallantry award.

Outnumbered and surrounded by a Pakistani armored brigade, 120 men of the 23 Punjab hold their ground at Longewala in 1971. The IAF swoops into action the next day. Jaisalmer is saved. History is made.