Karachi among targets as Indian Navy stayed combat-ready in Arabian Sea: Vice Admiral Pramod on Operation Sindoor

NEW DELHI: Vice Admiral AN Pramod on Sunday said that in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian Navy immediately mobilised its carrier battle group into the northern Arabian Sea in full combat readiness, adopting what he called a "decisive and deterrent posture." Speaking at a joint press briefing alongside Army and Air Force officials, he confirmed that the Indian Navy had remained forward deployed with the capability to strike high-value targets, including Pakistan’s financial capital, Karachi, under Operation Sindoor.“In the aftermath of the cowardly attacks on innocent tourists at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir by Pakistani-sponsored terrorists on 22nd April, the Indian Navy's Carrier battle group, surface forces, submarines and aviation assets were immediately deployed at sea with full combat readiness,” said Vice Admiral Pramod. “We tested and refined tactics and procedures at sea during multiple weapon firings in the Arabian Sea within 96 hours of the terrorist attack,” he added.Vice Admiral also mentioned that Pakistan’s naval and air units were forced into a largely defensive stance, retreating to harbours or staying close to the coastline, movements that Indian forces continuously monitored. “Our forces remained forward deployed in the Northern Arabian Sea in a decisive and deterrent posture with full readiness and capacity to strike select targets at sea and on land, including Karachi, at a time of our choosing,” he said.Vice Admiral Pramod highlighted the measured approach adopted by India. “Our response has been measured, proportionate, non-escalatory and responsible from day one,” he said. “As we speak, the Indian Navy remains deployed at sea in a credible deterrent posture to respond decisively to any inimical action by Pakistan.”Delivering a pointed warning, he stated, “This time if Pakistan dares to take any action, Pakistan knows what we are going to do.”The briefing came just a day after Pakistan approached India with a proposal for a full ceasefire across land, air, and sea an understanding it violated later the same evening.All three branches of India’s armed forces, Army, Navy, and Air Force, addressed the media to provide a detailed account of Operation Sindoor, the military response launched on May 7 in retaliation for the Pakistan-backed attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives.Pakistan responded to India’s counterterror operation with a swarm of drones and missile incursions over the subsequent days. However, India’s air defence systems acted swiftly and effectively, neutralising the threats and preventing any casualties or damage.Ironically, even as these hostilities unfolded, Pakistan reached out to India on Saturday, proposing a full ceasefire across land, air, and sea. The request, made via a call from Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations to his Indian counterpart, was positioned as a step toward de-escalation.Yet, within hours of this outreach, Pakistan breached the very peace agreement it had proposed, casting a shadow over the credibility of its peace overture.