PNS Ghazi (S134)

PNS Ghazi (S134) was a Tench-class diesel-electric submarine that served in the Pakistan Navy from 1964 until its sinking in 1971 during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. Originally commissioned as USS Diablo (SS-479) in the United States Navy, it was transferred to Pakistan in 1964 and renamed PNS Ghazi, meaning "holy warrior" or "victorious."

Prior to its transfer, USS Diablo saw active service in the Pacific Theater during World War II, earning battle stars. After its transfer to Pakistan, PNS Ghazi became the flagship submarine of the Pakistan Navy.

During the 1965 Indo-Pakistani War, PNS Ghazi conducted patrols in the Arabian Sea but did not engage in any combat.

In the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, PNS Ghazi was deployed to the Bay of Bengal with the primary mission of locating and sinking the Indian Navy aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, effectively neutralizing India's naval air power in the eastern theater. However, PNS Ghazi sank off the coast of Visakhapatnam under disputed circumstances on December 4, 1971.

The official Pakistani account claims the Ghazi sank due to an internal explosion, possibly caused by faulty batteries or the accidental detonation of its own mines. The Indian Navy claims that PNS Ghazi was sunk by depth charges from the Indian Navy destroyer INS Rajput. The exact cause of its sinking remains a subject of debate and conflicting accounts.

The wreckage of PNS Ghazi remains on the seabed near Visakhapatnam and is considered a war grave. The incident is a significant part of the naval history of both India and Pakistan, representing a key event in the 1971 war.