Karachi was target during Operation Sindoor, confirms Indian Navy | WATCH
New Delhi: The Indian Navy on Sunday publicly detailed, for the first time, its role in Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the devastating Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 civilians, the majority of them tourists.
The Navy disclosed that its swift deployment in the Arabian Sea compelled the Pakistan Navy to remain confined to its harbours or close to its coastline. Vice Admiral A.N. Pramod, Director General of Naval Operations, stated that within just 96 hours of the 22 April attack, Indian naval forces were fully mobilised and prepared to strike Pakistani military installations, pending government authorisation.
"Naval forces were ready to target sites both at sea and on land, including the Karachi Port," the Vice Admiral confirmed during a joint military briefing alongside senior commanders from the Army and Air Force.
Following the terror attack, the Indian Navy rapidly mobilised its warships, submarines and aircraft to full combat readiness. A series of weapon drills were carried out in the Arabian Sea to validate strike capabilities and reinforce India's maritime deterrence posture. According to Vice Admiral Pramod, Pakistan’s naval forces were monitored closely and remained in defensive positions near their coastline.
"The Indian response was calibrated and measured, with all three services acting in unison to ensure an effective and proportionate counter-strike," he added.
The Vice Admiral stressed that the Navy’s overwhelming superiority at sea played a significant role in compelling Pakistan to seek de-escalation. Despite a pause in hostilities, Indian naval assets remained on high alert, ready to respond decisively to any renewed threats from Pakistan or its affiliated groups.
Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, Director General of Military Operations, confirmed that Pakistan had been issued a stern warning that any further provocation would meet with fierce retaliation.
Air Marshal A.K. Bharti also shed light on the precision airstrikes carried out by the Indian Air Force against Pakistani military targets. He underlined that the strikes were carefully executed to avoid civilian casualties while delivering a strong and strategic response.
Bharti further clarified that India’s retaliation was directed at terrorist networks operating across the border, not at the Pakistani military itself. He added that continued UAV and drone incursions necessitated retaliatory actions, which were carried out with precision and restraint. Indian air defence systems, he said, successfully neutralised numerous incoming aerial threats.
Operation Sindoor demonstrated India’s strategic prowess and commitment to safeguarding national security. The coordinated military response underscored the country’s ability to act swiftly and decisively, sending a clear warning against any future aggression.