In the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which resulted in the death of 26 civilians, the Indian armed forces launched Operation Sindoor, a counter-offensive targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The operation, executed in early May, involved precision strikes by the Army and Air Force, with the Navy playing a crucial role in maintaining a deterrent posture in the Arabian Sea.
Vice Admiral AN Pramod, the Director General of Naval Operations, revealed that the Indian Navy's deployment in the Arabian Sea during Operation Sindoor effectively confined the Pakistan Navy to harbors and coastal areas. He stated that shortly after the Pahalgam attack, the Navy deployed its carrier battle groups, surface forces, submarines, and aviation assets at sea with full combat readiness. These forces conducted multiple weapon firings in the Arabian Sea within 96 hours of the terrorist attack to test and refine tactics and procedures. The aim was to revalidate the readiness of crew, armaments, equipment, and platforms to deliver ordnance on selected targets with precision.
The Indian Navy maintained a "deterrent posture with full readiness and capacity to strike select targets at sea and on land, including Karachi, at a time of our choosing". This forward deployment compelled Pakistani naval and air units to adopt a defensive stance, primarily remaining inside harbors or close to the coast, which the Indian forces continuously monitored. Vice Admiral Pramod highlighted that India's response was "measured, proportionate, non-escalatory, and responsible from Day 1". The calibrated approach considered all options, including the Navy's ability to take offensive action from and at sea.
Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, the Director General of Military Operations, stated that he had communicated with his Pakistani counterpart, via hotline, conveying India's firm resolve to respond "fiercely" to any further violations. This message was delivered following ceasefire violations by Pakistan shortly after an agreement for cessation of hostilities had been proposed.
Operation Sindoor involved strikes across nine terror hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, resulting in the elimination of over 100 terrorists, including high-value targets involved in the IC814 hijack and the Pulwama blast. The operation was conceptualized with the objective of punishing the perpetrators and planners of terror and destroying their infrastructure. The Indian Army also released a video of troops in action along the Line of Control (LoC) during Operation Sindoor.
Air Marshal AK Bharti, the Director General of Air Operations, said that the Indian Air Force prevented Pakistani planes from entering the country, and some planes were downed. He added that the Air Force achieved its objectives, and all pilots returned safely.
The coordinated application of force by the Navy, Army, and Air Force contributed to Pakistan's request for a ceasefire. Vice Admiral Pramod emphasized the close coordination among the three services, stating that the Navy's actions were planned in sync with the Army and Air Force. He also credited India's maritime domain awareness grid with providing "good battle space transparency," enabling seamless tracking of Pakistani movements and reinforcing India's escalation control mechanisms.
Despite the ceasefire agreement, tensions remain, and the Indian Navy remains deployed at sea in a credible deterrent posture, ready to respond decisively to any hostile action by Pakistan or Pakistan-based terrorists.
