'INS Shakti' turns 30

Mumbai, Feb 22 (UNI) 'INS Shakti' of the Indian Navy's Western fleet which was deployed during some high-profile and successful operations over the last three decades entered into her 30th year of commission yesterday.

The ship, commanded by Capt M V S Kumar and 300 sailors, has been deployed in a number of Naval and joint services operations, including one mounted to evacuate Tamil prisoners in Sri Lanka, an official release said here today.

Shakti was also deployed as part of the task force to contain the coup in Maldives in January 1989, 'Operation Bolser' and 'Operation Shield' in which she participated in the de-induction of Indian troops from Somalia which were part of the UN peace keeping force.

For this effort, the ship was awarded 'Unit Citation' by then Chief of Naval staff in 1996, the release said.

The ship has also performed her role as the nation's maritime ambassador by carrying the Indian flag to a number of countries. Her recent overseas deployment was to the South East Asia during which she was part of the fleet that visited Singapore, Port Klang and Jakarta in July last year.

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