KP Gopal Rao: War Hero of 1971 Passed Away

Commodore Kasargod Patnashetti Gopal Rao, a 1971 war hero and recipient of the Mahavir Chakra, breathed his on 8 August 2021.
He played a key role in the war with Pakistan to liberate East Pakistan that is now Bangladesh.
He was the commander of two Arnala-class anti-submarine corvettes INS Kiltan and INS Katchall which were part of the task group that attacked Karachi Harbour during ‘Operation Trident’ on December 4, 1971, a day now marked as Navy Day.
Despite the gunfire from the enemy posing a grave risk to Indian ships and personnel, Commander Rao pressed on and sunk two destroyers and a minesweeper.