Ahmed Tasnim
Encyclopedia
Vice Admiral
Ahmad Tasnim, HI(M)
, SJ (Bar)
, SBt
, is a now-retired three-star naval officer who is most famous as the Commander
of the PNS Hangor
when it sunk the INS Khukri at 20:00 hrs on 8 December 1971 during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
, off the coast of Diu, Gujarat, India
.
(This was the first submarine kill since World War II
, and the only one until a Royal Navy
nuclear submarine HMS Conqueror
sank an Argentine
cruiser General Belgrano
during the Falklands War
.) He is also only officer in Pakistan Navy to have been awarded Sitara-e-Jurat (SJ) and Bar.
in 1954. He attended the United States Naval Academy
, and had participated in the Vietnam War
as a torpedo officer of the United States Navy
's USS Triton (SSRN-586)
in 1960s, but came back to Pakistan as a result of Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
. He is one of the Pakistani military officer who volunteered to participate in Vietnam War
with the United States Navy
. Before him, Air Chief Marshal
(General) Abbas Khattak
participated in the conflict with the United States Air Force
. He was later sent to trained at the Daphné class submarine
in France
after the war. He was the senior officer at the PNS Hangor (S131)' crew and, as Lieutenant Commander
, he activity participated in the war. After the war, he was conferred with Sitara-e-Basalat in 1965.
In 1969, he was promoted to the rank Commander
, and was made Commander Officer of the PNS Hangor (S131). In the night of November 22, 1971, PNS Hangor
was deployed under the command of Commander Ahmad Tasnim. In the night of 2 and 3 December, 1971, the PNS Hangor, while lying in wait off Bombay, detected a large formation of ships from the Indian Navy Western fleet that included cruiser INS Mysore (1939)
. Sensing impending war in the West-Pakistan
, Indian Naval
armada
was sailing out of Bombay Harbour, and passed incredibly close to Hangor. Since the PNS Hangoor's Commander had not received any clearance to engaged in the battle, he did not engage the fleet. On December 3, 1971, the Indian Navy received electronic transmission from PNS Hangor to Karachi Naval Operations Base (known as COMKAR). The Indian Navy dispatched two anti-submarine warfare
frigate
, INS Khukri (1958) and the " INS Kirpan" of 14 Squadron of the Western Naval Command
.
On 9 December 1971, 19:00 hours, Commander Ahmad of PNS Hangor received confirmation of the INS Kurki and INS Kirpan's coordinates from then-Lieutenant
Fasih Bokhari
and then-Lieutenant A.U. Khan. Commander Tasnim first diverted the submarine's position and managed to forecast the target ships movement. He then succeeded in taking up a tactically advantageous position on the path of the patrolling frigates by 1900 hours. At 1957 hours, the submarine fired a down the throat shot with a homing torpedo at the northerly ship from a depth of 40 meters. Under the command of Commander Tasnim, PNS Hangor fired two homing torpedoes on a sonar approach, one of which missed Kirpan at 19:57 hrs. The second torpedo directed at Khukri struck under its magazine at 20:00, and the ship sank within two minutes.
The first torpedo was tracked but no explosion was heard. The second torpedo was therefore fired immediately on the incoming southerly ship and this was followed by a tremendous explosion. The torpedo had found its mark. The other enemy frigate came straight for the submarine when a third torpedo was fired. A distant explosion was heard subsequently and the submarine turned west towards deeper waters for evasion.
, Hilal-i-Imtiaz(Military)
, and Sitara-e-Basalat
(for the second time). He is also the only naval officer in Pakistan Navy to have been awarded Sitara-e-Jurat (SJ) and Bar. ("Bar" refers to a second award of the same honour). Following his promotion, he was elevated as Captain
in the Navy.
After the war, he was elevated to Commodore
and became a commander of Pakistan's naval fleet. In 1984, he was promoted to Rear Admiral
and commanded the Pakistan Fleet (COMPAK); followed by another assignment as Commandant
of Pakistan Naval War College
. In 1990, he became chairman of Karachi Shipyard
. The same year, he was promoted to Vice Admiral
, where he also had served as the Board of Governors
of Cadet College Petaro
where he stayed there till 1991. In 1992, he became chairman of Karachi Port Trust
till 1994. The same year, he took retirement from Pakistan Navy
, and now currently resides in Islamabad
.
Vice Admiral
Vice admiral is a senior naval rank of a three-star flag officer, which is equivalent to lieutenant general in the other uniformed services. A vice admiral is typically senior to a rear admiral and junior to an admiral...
Ahmad Tasnim, HI(M)
Hilal-i-Imtiaz
The Hilal-i-Imtiaz, English: Crescent of Excellence, Urdu: هلال ا متيا ز , is the second highest civilian award and honor given to both civilians and military officers of the State of Pakistan|Pakistan armed forces by the Government of Pakistan...
, SJ (Bar)
Sitara-e-Jurat
Sitara-e-Jurat is the third highest military award of Pakistan. It was established in 1957 after Pakistan became a Republic; however, it was instituted retrospectively back to 1947...
, SBt
Awards and decorations of the Pakistan military
The awards and decorations of the Pakistan Armed Forces recognize a service member's service and personal accomplishments while a member of the Pakistan armed forces...
, is a now-retired three-star naval officer who is most famous as the Commander
Commander
Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
of the PNS Hangor
PNS Hangor
PNS Hangor was a Daphné class submarine that served in the Pakistan Navy from 1970 to 2006. She was built by France, and was a type of diesel-electric submarine class. She earned renown, when during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, she sank the Indian Navy's ASW frigate INS Khukri with two Homing...
when it sunk the INS Khukri at 20:00 hrs on 8 December 1971 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...
, off the coast of Diu, Gujarat, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
.
(This was the first submarine kill since World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and the only one until a Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
nuclear submarine HMS Conqueror
HMS Conqueror (S48)
HMS Conqueror was a nuclear-powered fleet submarine that served in the Royal Navy from 1971 to 1990. She was built by Cammell Laird in Birkenhead...
sank an Argentine
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
cruiser General Belgrano
ARA General Belgrano
The ARA General Belgrano was an Argentine Navy light cruiser in service from 1951 until 1982. Formerly the , she saw action in the Pacific theater of World War II before being sold to Argentina. After almost 31 years of service, she was sunk during the Falklands War by the Royal Navy submarine ...
during the Falklands War
Falklands War
The Falklands War , also called the Falklands Conflict or Falklands Crisis, was fought in 1982 between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the disputed Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands...
.) He is also only officer in Pakistan Navy to have been awarded Sitara-e-Jurat (SJ) and Bar.
Naval career
Ahmad was commissioned in Pakistan Navy as MidshipmanMidshipman
A midshipman is an officer cadet, or a commissioned officer of the lowest rank, in the Royal Navy, United States Navy, and many Commonwealth navies. Commonwealth countries which use the rank include Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Kenya...
in 1954. He attended the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
, and had participated in the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
as a torpedo officer of the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
's USS Triton (SSRN-586)
USS Triton (SSRN-586)
USS Triton , a United States Navy nuclear-powered radar picket submarine, was the first vessel to execute a submerged circumnavigation of the Earth , doing so in early 1960. Triton accomplished this objective during her shakedown cruise while under the command of Captain Edward L. "Ned" Beach, Jr...
in 1960s, but came back to Pakistan as a result of Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 was a culmination of skirmishes that took place between April 1965 and September 1965 between Pakistan and India. This conflict became known as the Second Kashmir War fought by India and Pakistan over the disputed region of Kashmir, the first having been fought in 1947...
. He is one of the Pakistani military officer who volunteered to participate in Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
with the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
. Before him, Air Chief Marshal
Air Chief Marshal
Air chief marshal is a senior 4-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
(General) Abbas Khattak
Abbas Khattak
Air Chief Marshal Abbas Khattak, NI, SBt, , is a retired four-star general and air-force officer in the Pakistan Air Force who served as the 14th Chief of Air Staff of the Pakistan Air Force from 8 November 1994 to 7 November 1997...
participated in the conflict with the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
. He was later sent to trained at the Daphné class submarine
Daphne class submarine
The Daphné class was a type of diesel-electric patrol submarines built in France between 1958 and 1970 for the French Navy and for export.-History:...
in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
after the war. He was the senior officer at the PNS Hangor (S131)' crew and, as Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a lieutenant and subordinate to a commander...
, he activity participated in the war. After the war, he was conferred with Sitara-e-Basalat in 1965.
In 1969, he was promoted to the rank Commander
Commander
Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
, and was made Commander Officer of the PNS Hangor (S131). In the night of November 22, 1971, PNS Hangor
PNS Hangor
PNS Hangor was a Daphné class submarine that served in the Pakistan Navy from 1970 to 2006. She was built by France, and was a type of diesel-electric submarine class. She earned renown, when during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, she sank the Indian Navy's ASW frigate INS Khukri with two Homing...
was deployed under the command of Commander Ahmad Tasnim. In the night of 2 and 3 December, 1971, the PNS Hangor, while lying in wait off Bombay, detected a large formation of ships from the Indian Navy Western fleet that included cruiser INS Mysore (1939)
INS Mysore (1939)
INS Mysore was a Fiji class cruiser commissioned in the Indian Navy in 1957. She was acquired from the Royal Navy, where she served in World War II as ....
. Sensing impending war in the West-Pakistan
West Pakistan
West Pakistan , common name West-Pakistan , in the period between its establishment on 22 November 1955 to disintegration on December 16, 1971. This period, during which, Pakistan was divided, ended when East-Pakistan was disintegrated and succeeded to become which is now what is known as Bangladesh...
, Indian Naval
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...
armada
Naval fleet
A fleet, or naval fleet, is a large formation of warships, and the largest formation in any navy. A fleet at sea is the direct equivalent of an army on land....
was sailing out of Bombay Harbour, and passed incredibly close to Hangor. Since the PNS Hangoor's Commander had not received any clearance to engaged in the battle, he did not engage the fleet. On December 3, 1971, the Indian Navy received electronic transmission from PNS Hangor to Karachi Naval Operations Base (known as COMKAR). The Indian Navy dispatched two anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
frigate
Frigate
A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...
, INS Khukri (1958) and the " INS Kirpan" of 14 Squadron of the Western Naval Command
Western Naval Command
The Western Naval Command is a formation of the Indian Navy. It has its HQ in Mumbai, Maharashtra and is commanded by the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, currently Vice Admiral D. K. Joshi...
.
On 9 December 1971, 19:00 hours, Commander Ahmad of PNS Hangor received confirmation of the INS Kurki and INS Kirpan's coordinates from then-Lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
Fasih Bokhari
Fasih Bokhari
Admiral Fasih Bokhari, , is a retired four-star admiral and who served as the 14th Chief of Naval Staff of Pakistan Navy from 1997 to 1999....
and then-Lieutenant A.U. Khan. Commander Tasnim first diverted the submarine's position and managed to forecast the target ships movement. He then succeeded in taking up a tactically advantageous position on the path of the patrolling frigates by 1900 hours. At 1957 hours, the submarine fired a down the throat shot with a homing torpedo at the northerly ship from a depth of 40 meters. Under the command of Commander Tasnim, PNS Hangor fired two homing torpedoes on a sonar approach, one of which missed Kirpan at 19:57 hrs. The second torpedo directed at Khukri struck under its magazine at 20:00, and the ship sank within two minutes.
The first torpedo was tracked but no explosion was heard. The second torpedo was therefore fired immediately on the incoming southerly ship and this was followed by a tremendous explosion. The torpedo had found its mark. The other enemy frigate came straight for the submarine when a third torpedo was fired. A distant explosion was heard subsequently and the submarine turned west towards deeper waters for evasion.
Post War career
Commander Ahmad Tasnim was made a national hero after his actions. In 1972, he was conferred with Sitara-e-JuratSitara-e-Jurat
Sitara-e-Jurat is the third highest military award of Pakistan. It was established in 1957 after Pakistan became a Republic; however, it was instituted retrospectively back to 1947...
, Hilal-i-Imtiaz(Military)
Hilal-i-Imtiaz
The Hilal-i-Imtiaz, English: Crescent of Excellence, Urdu: هلال ا متيا ز , is the second highest civilian award and honor given to both civilians and military officers of the State of Pakistan|Pakistan armed forces by the Government of Pakistan...
, and Sitara-e-Basalat
Awards and decorations of the Pakistan military
The awards and decorations of the Pakistan Armed Forces recognize a service member's service and personal accomplishments while a member of the Pakistan armed forces...
(for the second time). He is also the only naval officer in Pakistan Navy to have been awarded Sitara-e-Jurat (SJ) and Bar. ("Bar" refers to a second award of the same honour). Following his promotion, he was elevated as Captain
Captain (naval)
Captain is the name most often given in English-speaking navies to the rank corresponding to command of the largest ships. The NATO rank code is OF-5, equivalent to an army full colonel....
in the Navy.
After the war, he was elevated to Commodore
Commodore (rank)
Commodore is a military rank used in many navies that is superior to a navy captain, but below a rear admiral. Non-English-speaking nations often use the rank of flotilla admiral or counter admiral as an equivalent .It is often regarded as a one-star rank with a NATO code of OF-6, but is not always...
and became a commander of Pakistan's naval fleet. In 1984, he was promoted to Rear Admiral
Rear Admiral
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. It is generally regarded as the lowest of the "admiral" ranks, which are also sometimes referred to as "flag officers" or "flag ranks"...
and commanded the Pakistan Fleet (COMPAK); followed by another assignment as Commandant
Commandant
Commandant is a senior title often given to the officer in charge of a large training establishment or academy. This usage is common in anglophone nations...
of Pakistan Naval War College
Pakistan Naval War College
The Naval War College is the Pakistan Navy academic establishment providing training and education primarily to the mid-career officers of Pakistan Navy as well as to a limited number of officers from Pakistan Air Force, Pakistan Army and various Allied forces...
. In 1990, he became chairman of Karachi Shipyard
Karachi Shipyard
The Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works Limited , is Situated at West Wharf in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.Karachi Shipyard is the oldest Heavy Engineering Works of Pakistan which is catering for its Ship Building, Ship Repairing, Submarine/Warship Construction and Heavy/General Engineering...
. The same year, he was promoted to Vice Admiral
Vice Admiral
Vice admiral is a senior naval rank of a three-star flag officer, which is equivalent to lieutenant general in the other uniformed services. A vice admiral is typically senior to a rear admiral and junior to an admiral...
, where he also had served as the Board of Governors
Board of governors
Board of governors is a term sometimes applied to the board of directors of a public entity or non-profit organization.Many public institutions, such as public universities, are government-owned corporations. The British Broadcasting Corporation was managed by a board of governors, though this role...
of Cadet College Petaro
Cadet College Petaro
Cadet College Petaro is an educational institution from grade 8 to grade 12, in the southern province of Sindh in Pakistan about 20 miles from Hyderabad...
where he stayed there till 1991. In 1992, he became chairman of Karachi Port Trust
Karachi Port Trust
Karachi Port Trust is a Pakistani federal government agency that oversees the operations of the Port of Karachi in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.-History:...
till 1994. The same year, he took retirement from 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...
, and now currently resides in Islamabad
Islamabad
Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan and the tenth largest city in the country. Located within the Islamabad Capital Territory , the population of the city has grown from 100,000 in 1951 to 1.7 million in 2011...
.