Two Indian naval ships, INS Kulish and INS Sumedha, are visiting port of Mongla from March 8 to March 10 to celebrate historic occasions of Mujib Year and ’50 Years of Liberation War’.
“The visit is especially significant as this is the first visit by Indian Naval Ships to Mongla,” a press release issued by Indian high Commission here on Monday.
The last time it happened was 50 years ago when on 09/10 Dec 1971, the two gunboats Padma and Palash, jointly manned by Indian Navy and Mukti Bahini personnel, in a covert operation sailed up the Pusur river attacking various Pakistani installations at the Port.
To signify the importance that Indian Navy accords to its fraternal relationship with Bangladesh Navy, other than two ships, a senior officer from Indian Navy, Cmde Mahadevu Goverdhan Raju, Naval Officer-in-Charge, Andhra Pradesh is embarked onboard Sumedha.
Along with main gun and anti aircraft guns, the Sumedha also carries an helicopter while the second ship Kulish, commanded by Cdr Sanjeev Agnihotri, is also indigenously built for anti-surface warfare operations.
During the visit, the Senior officers from the Indian side will be paying homage to Bangabandhu by laying wreaths at his mausoleum at Tungipara.
They will also lay wreaths at the grave of Bir Shrestho Ruhul Amin who sacrificed his life while fighting onboard the gunboat Palash at Mongla on 10 Dec 1971.
The Indian ships will also honour Bangladesh Navy Veterans of Liberation War, during onboard reception and gift Bangladesh Navy items of historical value for displaying at the Armed forces Museum.
