The Indian Navy's 22nd Missile Vessel Squadron, that bombed the Karachi Port and sunk Pakistan Navy's vessels in the 1971 war, will receive the President's Standard, a rare honour for its distinguished service, from President Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday, the Navy said.
This year also marks 50 years of inception of the Missile Vessel Squadron, also known as the ‘Killers', which over the past five decades has maintained the capability of delivering a credible offensive punch from the sea, a Navy official said on Sunday.
Based in Mumbai, the Missile Vessel Squadron has participated in the Operation Vijay, Operation Parakram and most recently, during the heightened security state following the Pulwama attack, it was deployed within striking distance off the Pakistan coast.
“The ships in this squadron have the ability to move swiftly and are missile-ready. Their deployment also acts as a deterrent,” said an official posted in the squadron.
The Indian Navy was awarded the President's Colours on May 27, 1951 by the then President of India, Dr Rajendra Prasad. The President's Standard is the same honour as the President's Colours, awarded to a relatively smaller military formation or unit, the Navy said in a statement.
The 22nd Missile Vessel Squadron was formally established in Mumbai in October 1991 with 10 Veer Class and three Prabal Class missile boats.
But, the genesis of the ‘Killers' dates back to 1969, with the induction of OSA I Class missile…
