Operation Sindhur showcased the formidable strength of the Indian Navy. Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, stated that 15 MiG-29K fighter jets were deployed on the aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, during the operation.
At the Army War College in Dr. Ambedkar Nagar, Madhya Pradesh, 'Ran Samvad-2025', the tri-services event, detailed the Navy's swift and decisive actions. Operation Sindhur, which ran from May 7 to May 10, 2025, was a response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack.
Operation Sindhur was a response to the terrorist attack in Pahalgam (Jammu and Kashmir) on April 22, 2025, where 26 tourists - primarily Hindus - were killed. The attack was claimed by 'The Resistance Front', an ally of Lashkar-e-Taiba.
India accused Pakistan of supporting terrorism. On May 7, India launched missile strikes targeting terrorist infrastructure in nine locations across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. While Pakistan alleged that civilian areas were hit, resulting in 31 deaths, India maintained its strikes were solely on terror infrastructure. The operation concluded on May 10, amid rising tensions marked by drone and missile attacks. The Navy played a key role in maritime deterrence and surveillance.
Source: aajtak
Vice Admiral Sobti explained that pre-positioned deployment for the theater-level exercise TROPEX had already ensured warships, weaponry, and missiles at the western maritime border. Within 96 hours, all operational ships were deployed at sea, restocked with ammunition, and capable for action.
Source: aajtak
The heart of the operation was India's first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant. With 15 MiG-29K fighter jets, Vikrant formed the backbone of a task force that included destroyers, frigates, and submarines. Positioned south of Karachi in international waters, it effectively blockaded the Pakistani Navy, confining them to their harbors.
Vice Admiral Sobti reflected, "With 15 MiG-29Ks on Vikrant, we could maintain a formidable posture in international waters outside Pakistan's maritime boundaries, ensuring our adversary had no chance to threaten our trade routes, economic lifelines, or coastline. This strategy proved successful."
Source: aajtak
Operation Sindhur illustrated the Navy's capability in 'non-contact warfare', achieving strategic goals via advanced intelligence, long-range missiles, and unmanned systems without direct border incursions. Sobti noted the operation provided valuable lessons across the Armed Forces, with many already implemented and others being fast-tracked.
Long-Range Precision Strikes: Enhancing capabilities to influence land and sea targets without entering enemy territories.
Counter-Drone Systems: Addressing rising threats from low-cost drones, like those seen in Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. It’s expensive to use million-dollar surface-to-air missiles for such drones; hence, affordable counter-drone systems need development.
Electromagnetic Management: Counter-drone jammers can affect naval radar systems. Ships are crowded with gadgets; dense electromagnetic environments could disrupt radar capacities upon introducing new transmitting systems.
The Navy's role in maritime blockade kept the Pakistani Navy confined to Karachi harbor. Sobti confirmed Navy personnel were always ready for escalation, prepared to counter any advancement from adversaries effectively.
