During Operation Sindoor, the Indian Navy showed a strong presence by sending 36 key warships and submarines, including the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, near Pakistan’s Karachi coast, sources said. This was a big step up compared to the 1971 war, when only six warships were used for operations near Karachi.

This action came after a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 people lost their lives. In response, India launched a strong three-way pressure strategy against Pakistan. As part of this, the Indian Navy was put on high alert. Fearing a possible naval attack, Pakistan released NAVAREA warnings, alerts meant for ships in the area.

At the center of the Indian Navy’s strong presence during Operation Sindoor was INS Vikrant, a large aircraft carrier, sources said. It was joined by 8 to 10 warships and moved forward into the Arabian Sea. This was one of the biggest real-time operations by the Indian Navy, beyond its usual peacetime drills.The deployment included seven powerful destroyers armed with BrahMos missiles, Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (MRSAM), and heavy torpedoes called Varunastra. These warships could attack targets in the air, on the surface, and underwater. Alongside them were seven stealthy guided-missile frigates, including the new INS Tushil, creating a strong defence line off India’s western coast.

Also, six submarines were being operated secretly under the sea, adding to India’s silent strength. The Navy also used fast attack crafts and missile boats, bringing the total number of deployed naval units to around 36. This number was more than the entire Pakistan Navy, which has fewer than 30 warships.

During Operation Sindoor, the Pakistani Navy stayed inside Karachi harbour and did not take any major action, mainly because the Indian Navy had a much stronger presence in the region. The situation became so tense that several international ships changed their routes to avoid sailing near Karachi.

India began Operation Sindoor on May 7 to respond to the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 people, mostly tourists, lost their lives. This led to a short period of military action between India and Pakistan.
On May 8, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh informed leaders from all parties that Indian forces had carried out successful strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), killing around 100 terrorists and their supporters. Both countries agreed to stop the fighting and announced a ceasefire on May 10.