India was 'minutes away' from striking Pakistan from sea during Operation Sindoor: Navy Chief

E-PaperSubscribeSubscribeEnjoy unlimited accessSubscribe Now! Get features like India was ready to strike Pakistan from sea during Operation Sindoor, Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi has reportedly said, months after the military action from India that took place in May 2025. Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi during the Naval Investiture Ceremony, in Mumbai. (Defence PRO)During an address at the Naval Investiture Ceremony, the Navy chief heaped praise on Operation Sindoor and said it reflected the resolve of the Indian Navy. He said that the Navy maintained a highly aggressive posture throughout the period, and added: “It is not a hidden fact anymore that we were just minutes away from striking Pakistan from sea, when they requested the stoppage of kinetic actions,” news agency ANI reported. Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7, 2025, a fortnight after 26 civilians were killed in a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. India launched the military action to avenge the killings and to dismantle terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Over 100 terrorists were killed in the operation, followed by a few days of military conflict between India and Pakistan after which a cessation of hostilities was announced on May 10. Admiral Tripathi also said that the Navy's actions during Operation Sindoor strengthened national confidence and showcased its capabilities to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a historic overnight embarkation on the Western Seaboard. "Through swift and resolute actions during the Op Sindoor, the Indian Navy reinforced the nation's confidence and trust in its capabilities. Besides Op Sindoor and the relentless operational tempo through the year, we were also very proud to showcase the breadth and depth of our operational capabilities to the Hon'ble Prime Minister during a historic 17-hour overnight embarkation with the Indian Navy on the Western Seaboard," he said, according to the ANI report. Earlier, Admiral Tripathi had said that the Navy's posture during Operation Sindoor forced the Pakistan Navy to remain close to their ports or near the Makran coast. He had also said that the operation continues and has not yet ended.