Commodore

Babru Bhan Yadav

MVC
Born(1928-09-14)14 September 1928
Bharawas, Rewari district, Haryana
Died22 January 2010(2010-01-22) (aged 81)
Delhi, India
Allegiance India
Service/branch Indian Navy
Years of service1951–1982
Rank Commodore
Service number00101-B[1]
Unit25th Missile Boat Squadron
Battles/warsIndo-Pakistani War of 1971
Operation Trident (1971)
Awards Maha Vir Chakra

Commodore Babru Bhan Yadav, MVC (14 September 1928 – 22 January 2010), also known as B.B. Yadav, was a former Indian Navy Officer. He led the 25th Missile Boat Squadron during Operation Trident in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.[2]

Early life and education

He was born in the village Bharawas in the Rewari district of Haryana to Major Bhagwan Singh Yadav. His father is known for taking part in both world wars. Yadav studied from Banares Hindu University and completed his graduation from St. Stephen's College in Delhi in 1947.

Military career

Yadav joined Indian Navy on 1 January 1951 at the age of 23. He received his training from United Kingdom.[3] He also went to Russia for training. He was the first Naval officer to be awarded the Maha Vir Chakra award for gallantry in the 1971 war.[4]

He received the Maha Vir Chakra for his exceptional leadership and military skills which led to the destruction of Pakistan's most powerful naval regiment at the Karachi Naval base in the 1971 war.[5] The Karachi Strike Group formed for Operation Trident and Operation Python was under his command.[6] The strike group is also known as the Killer Squadron as India gained Naval supremacy over Pakistan in 1971 war. In memory of both the operations Indian Navy celebrates Navy Day on 4 December every year.

Maha Vir Chakra Citation

The citation for the Maha Vir Chakra reads as follows:[7][8]

Gazette Notification: 18 Pres/72,12-2-72

Operation: Operation Trident Date of Award: 05 Dec 1971

CITATION
COMMANDER BABRU BAHAN YADAV, (00101-B)

Commander Babru Bahan Yadav was the Squadron Commander of a division of ships which formed part of the Task Group of the Western Fleet ordered to carry out an offensive sweep on the enemy coast of Karachi on the night of 4th/5th December, 1971. Notwithstanding the threat of enemy air, surface and submarine attack, the officer led his division of ships deep into the enemy waters and encountered two groups of large enemy warships. Despite the heavy gun fire from the enemy destroyers and at great risk to his ships and personnel, Commander Yadav led his Squadron towards the enemy in a swift and determined attack. As a result, two enemy destroyers and one Mine sweeper were sunk.

In this operation, Commander Babru Bahan Yadav displayed conspicuous gallantry and leadership of a high order in the best traditions of the Indian Navy.

Later life

Yadav served as the state Director of National Cadet Corps in Chandigarh for Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana. He retired from the navy in 1982. He later worked in the Merchant Navy.[9] He died in Delhi, aged 81.[9]

References

  1. ^ "BB YADAV - Gallantry Awards". Gallantryawards.gov.in. Archived from the original on 4 January 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  2. ^ "Opinion: How the fall of Karachi port was brought by India's 'Killer Squadron' in 1971". 15 December 2017.
  3. ^ "Commodore BB Yadav". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  4. ^ "The Veer Ahir who set Karachi ablaze". Hindustantimes.com. 23 June 2013.
  5. ^ "10 Daredevil Heroes of the Indian Navy You Should Know About". 4 December 2015.
  6. ^ "40 Years Since Operation Trident - SP's Naval Forces". Spsnavalforces.com.
  7. ^ "Gallantry Awards | Ministry of Defence, Government of India". www.gallantryawards.gov.in. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  8. ^ "Mahavir Chakra (MVC), Awardee: Cmde Babru Bahan Yadav, MVC (retd) @ TWDI". twdi.in. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  9. ^ a b "India Strategic : Indian Navy: Indian Navy's War Hero passes away". Indiastrategic.in.
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