INS Karna commissioned

INS Karna commissioned
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Highlights

Amidst recital of Sanskrit hymns, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba commissioned INS Karna, the base for eastern unit for Marine Commando Force (MCF), in a ceremony held at the Naval Base at Bheemunipatnam on Tuesday.  Vice Admiral HCS Bisht, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command and senior naval officials were present on the occasion. 

Visakhapatnam: Amidst recital of Sanskrit hymns, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba commissioned INS Karna, the base for eastern unit for Marine Commando Force (MCF), in a ceremony held at the Naval Base at Bheemunipatnam on Tuesday. Vice Admiral HCS Bisht, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command and senior naval officials were present on the occasion.

The Marine Commando Force, 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. This is the full-fledged unit on the Eastern Board. The other unit is based in Western Command in Mumbai.

The event commenced with an impressive parade, which was reviewed by the Chief of 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.

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.

Speaking on the occasion, 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.

Admiral Lanba emphasised the need to for all Marine Commandos to keep their steel sharp and power 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,” he said.

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