Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Apr 27: Amidst heightened tensions with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack, Indian warships on Sunday conducted multiple successful anti-ship firings, demonstrating the Indian Navy’s prowess in carrying out long-range precision strikes and demonstrating the readiness of platforms, systems and crew in the event of a possible action.
Indian warships have conducted multiple anti-ship firings in the Arabian Sea, demonstrating their preparedness for long-range precision strikes, with the Navy asserting they are combat-ready to protect the nation’s interests.
In a post on X on Sunday, the Navy asserted that it is combat-ready to safeguard the nation’s maritime interests, while sharing multiple visuals of the demonstrations. As per officials, the Navy was already out on a missile-firing deployment. “The latest anti-ships firings displayed its role switch capability from peacetime to combat, while still being out at sea without entering base ports,” an official said. Multiple visuals of BrahMos anti-ship and anti-surface cruise missiles being fired from warships in the middle of the sea were shared by the Navy.
“Indian Navy Ships undertook successful multiple anti-ship firings to revalidate and demonstrate readiness of platforms, systems, and crew for long-range precision offensive strike. Indian Navy stands combat-ready, credible, and future-ready in safeguarding the nation’s maritime interests Anytime Anywhere Anyhow,” said the Indian Navy in an online post.
The warships included Kolkata-class destroyers, and Nilgiri-class and Krivak-class frigates. The Navy’s tankers, and its latest aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and maritime patrol aircraft P-8Is also remain deployed in the Arabian Sea. On Thursday, the Navy’s indigenous guided missile destroyer INS Surat had successfully test-fired the Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile in the Arabian Sea.
“The Indian Navy’s latest indigenous guided missile destroyer INS Surat successfully carried out a precision cooperative engagement of a sea-skimming target, marking another milestone in strengthening our defence capabilities,” the Navy had said in a statement.
Pakistan issued a notification for the firings in the Arabian Sea region. Pakistan has also suspended all bilateral agreements with Indian. Repeated ceasefire violations from Pakistan’s side along the Line of Control have also begun in an attempt to provoke the Indian troops. The Indian side has retaliated effectively, according to the army. No casualties were reported in the exchange of fire so far.
As India has vowed retaliation to Pahalgam attack, the last few days have seen multiple operations carried out by security forces across Kashmir. Earlier this week, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi visited Kashmir to review the security situation.
