ISLAMABAD, September 8, 2026: Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf has said Pakistan Navy’s history is defined not by the scale of its resources but by the resolve, sacrifice and professional commitment of its personnel, highlighting Operation Somnath, the legacy of PNS Ghazi and the induction of Hangor-class submarines as milestones in the force’s evolution.
In his message on Navy Day, Admiral Naveed Ashraf said Pakistan Navy had faced severe resource and operational constraints when Pakistan was established, yet its personnel developed the determination and capability required to defend the country’s maritime interests.
He described September 8, 1965, as a defining moment in that history, when Pakistan Navy conducted Operation Somnath, targeting coastal radar installations at Dwarka.
The naval chief said the operation demonstrated that a maritime force with limited numerical and material resources could still produce decisive effects through courage, strategic foresight and determination.
He said Operation Somnath not only demonstrated Pakistan Navy’s offensive capability but also challenged the adversary’s perception of invulnerability and became a lasting symbol of the country’s resolve to defend its sovereignty.
Admiral Naveed Ashraf said that legacy of courage and conviction had continued into the present, citing Pakistan Navy’s successful deterrence against the Indian Navy during Marka-e-Haq as another reflection of the force’s resolve.
From Ghazi to Hangor
The naval chief also highlighted the evolution of Pakistan Navy’s submarine capability, pointing to PNS Ghazi as a landmark in the development of the country’s undersea deterrence.
He said Ghazi’s legacy demonstrated the strategic value of a capable submarine force and laid the foundations for Pakistan’s undersea deterrence.
That capability, he said, has now entered a new phase with the induction of Hangor-class submarines, which represent a significant advancement in technological sophistication, combat capability and maritime deterrence.
Admiral Naveed Ashraf said Pakistan Navy was embracing modern platforms and evolving operational concepts while preserving the spirit of sacrifice demonstrated by its predecessors.
Naval chief pays tribute to Navy’s martyrs
On Navy Day, the Chief of Naval Staff paid tribute to the Shuhada and Ghazis of Pakistan Navy, saying their sacrifices had helped safeguard the country’s maritime frontiers.
He said their courage remains a source of inspiration for the younger generation and that the heritage created by previous generations continues to guide the navy’s future.
“From GHAZI to HANGOR,” the naval chief said, the message remains one of courage, sacrifice and firm commitment to Pakistan’s defence.
He prayed for Allah’s guidance and protection and concluded his message with the words: “Pakistan Navy Zindabad, Pakistan Paindabad.”