Kasargod Patnashetti Gopal Rao
Commodore K. P. Gopal Rao, MVC, VSM (born 13 November 1926) was an officer in the Indian Navy notable for his participation in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 and was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra for his outstanding contributions during Operation Trident.
Kasargod Patnashetti Gopal Rao | |
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| Born | 13 November 1926 Mangalore, Karnataka |
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| Rank |  |
| Unit | Western Fleet (India) |
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Early life
Commodore K. P. Gopal Rao was born in Mangalore on 13 November 1926. His father's name was Rai Bahadur K.P.Janardhan Rao. His elder brother, Maj. K.P.S Rao had also served in the Indian Armed Forces, in the Indian Army during the Second World War.
Military career
Commodore K. P. Gopal Rao was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 21 April 1950. In January 1971, he was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal for distinguished service of a high order.
During the 1971 war, he was commander of two Arnala-class anti-submarine corvettes INS Kiltan and INS Katchall that were part of the task group that attacked Karachi Harbour on 4 December 1971 during Operation Trident. The two corvettes were tasked to provide communications and conduct target acquisition with their superior radar as well as give anti-submarine cover. Operation Trident was a huge success and resulted in sinking two Pakistani destroyers (PNS Khaiber and PNS Shah Jehan), one minesweeper (PNS Muhafiz), one cargo ship (MV Venus Challenger) and setting afire oil dumps and other installations.[2][3] For his outstanding performance, he was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India's second highest military decoration.
References
- "CDR KP GOPAL RAO MAHA VIR CHAKRA". Gallantry Awards, Ministry of Defence, Govt of India website.
- "The Veer Ahir who set Karachi ablaze". Hindustan Times. 23 June 2013.
- Chakravorty, B. (1995). Stories of Heroism: PVC & MVC Winners. 180: Allied Publishers. p. 387. ISBN 9788170235163.CS1 maint: location (link)