The Indian Navy on Tuesday said the threat of action by the naval force played a key role in Pakistan asking for a ceasefire during the Operation Sindoor offensive in May this year.
“The threat of offensive action by the Indian Navy could be considered an important factor in Pakistan requesting for ceasefire,” said Vice Admiral Swaminathan during the annual press conference of the Navy Chief today.
Speaking ahead of the Navy Day on Thursday, Vice Admiral Swaminathan, who heads the Western Naval Command, said the force mobilised over 30 ships and submarines during Operation Sindoor within a very brief period of time.
“Our frontline ships were poised for combat off the Makran coast, under the umbrella of Vikrant Carrier Battle Group,” he said.
India had launched the Operation Sindoor military offensive against Pakistan in May, following the April Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 persons were killed.
ALSO READ: Operation Sindoor shifted India’s Pakistan calculus, China remains major worry, says Navy official
Vice Admiral Swaminathan said the Indian Navy had forced the Pakistan Navy to remain confined to its coast due to the offensive posturing as well, which included a series of successful weapon firings in April.
Speaking at the presser, Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, FOC-in-C, Southern Naval Command, said the Navy played a critical role during Operation Sindoor, denying the adversary (Pakistan) operational freedom.
Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, on his part, said Operation Sindoor remains in progress.
According to Admiral Tripathi, the Navy has remained in high operational readiness, including in the Western Arabian Sea, during the last seven to eight months following Operation Sindoor.
“The aggressive posturing and immediate action during Operation Sindoor, including deployment of the carrier battle group, forced Pakistan Navy to remain close to their ports or near the Makran coast,” the Navy Chief said, adding the offensive also put a financial strain on the neighbour as a significant number of merchant ships skipped travelling to the country.
He pointed out that the vessels travelling to Pakistan are now facing an increased cost of insurance.