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Commodore

Kasargod Patnashetti Gopal Rao

MVC, VSM
Born(1926-11-13)13 November 1926
Mangalore, South Canara, Madras Presidency, British Raj
(present-day Karnataka)
Died9 August 2021(2021-08-09) (aged 94)
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Allegiance India
Service/branch Indian Navy
Rank Commodore
UnitWestern Fleet (India)
Battles/wars
Awards Maha Vir Chakra[1]
Vishisht Seva Medal

Commodore Kasargod Patnashetti Gopal Rao MVC, VSM (13 November 1926 – 9 August 2021) 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.[2]

Early life

Commodore K. P. Gopal Rao was born in a Goud Saraswat brahmin family[3]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.[4][5] For his outstanding performance, he was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India's second highest military decoration.

Personal life

Rao was married and had two sons and a daughter. He is from the Goud Saraswat Brahmin (GSB) Community. He died on August 9, 2021, in the southern Indian city of Chennai. He was aged 94.[6] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaud_Saraswat_Brahmin

See also

References

  1. ^ "CDR KP GOPAL RAO MAHA VIR CHAKRA". Gallantry Awards, Ministry of Defence, Govt of India website.
  2. ^ Shivakumar, C. (9 August 2021). "Indian Navy war hero Commodore Gopal Rao who led Karachi Port attack in 1971 dies at 95". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
  3. ^ "Commodore Gopal Rao -- man who brought Pakistan to its knees in 1971 Indo-Pak war". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  4. ^ "The Veer Ahir who set Karachi ablaze". Hindustan Times. 23 June 2013.
  5. ^ Chakravorty, B. (1995). Stories of Heroism: PVC & MVC Winners. 180: Allied Publishers. p. 387. ISBN 9788170235163.((cite book)): CS1 maint: location (link)
  6. ^ "War hero who bombarded Karachi port in 1971 no more". The Indian Express. 9 August 2021. Retrieved 10 August 2021.


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