Admiral
Sunil Lanba, PVSM, AVSM, ADC, Chief of the Naval Staff commissioned the Marine
Commandos Unit as ‘INS Karna’ in a solemn ceremony held at the Naval Base at
Bheemunipatanam today, 12 July 2016. Vice Admiral HCS Bisht, Flag Officer
Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command and senior naval dignitaries were
also present on the occasion. The Marine Commando Force (MCF), also called as
the ‘MARCOS’, was raised in February 1987 as the Indian Marine Special Force
(IMSF), capable of operating in all three dimensions, at sea, in air and on
land.
The
event commenced with an impressive parade which was reviewed by the Chief of the
Naval Staff. Vice Admiral HCS Bisht, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern
Naval Command addressed the gathering which was followed by reading out of the
Commissioning Warrant by Commanding Officer(Designate), Captain Varun Singh,
SC. The ceremony was solemnised by an invocation in Sanskrit. Smt Reena Lanba,
wife of Admiral Sunil Lanba, unveiled the Commissioning Plaque and named the
Special Forces Unit as ‘INS Karna’. This was followed by hoisting of the Naval
Ensign and playing of the National Anthem, in accordance with the time honoured
customs and traditions of the Indian Navy.
Conveying
his best wishes to the newly commissioned unit, the Chief of the Naval Staff
said that MARCOS have established themselves as Special Operations Force of
international repute in a short span and have won well deserved gallantry
awards for their acts of courage and valour. He further added that the MARCOS
proved their excellence wherever they have been deployed in various operations.
Over the years, the Special Force has conducted numerous independent missions
of direct action, reconnaissance and surveillance, and recovery operations.
Admiral
Lanba emphasised the need to for all Marine Commandos to keep their “steel
sharp and powder dry” as they would be the first into the battle and the need
to be ‘Mission Ready and a Winner’ always. As the roles and
responsibilities of the Indian Navy have expanded in the Indian Ocean Region
and beyond, Special Operations Force would be required to be deployed in future
combat at the strategic and operational level, said the Admiral.
The
commissioning of INS Karna, has added a new base to the Special Forces of the
Indian Navy as they deploy to safeguard our nation’s vast maritime interests.
DKS/AC