Amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan
following the Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian Navy showcased
its maritime combat readiness by successfully conducting multiple anti-ship
missile firings in the Arabian Sea. The drills highlighted India’s
long-range precision strike capabilities and reinforced its commitment to
safeguarding national maritime interests.
The Indian Navy released visuals of BrahMos anti-ship
and anti-surface cruise missiles being launched from frontline warships,
including Kolkata-class destroyers, as well as Nilgiri and Krivak-class
frigates. These exercises aimed to revalidate the effectiveness of
platforms, systems, and crew for offensive strike operations.
In an official post on X (formerly Twitter), the Navy
stated:
"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."
Show of Strength After Pakistan’s Missile Notification
The Indian Navy's show of strength comes days after Pakistan
issued a notification regarding upcoming missile firings in the Arabian Sea
region, raising concerns over rising military posturing between the two
neighbors.
The successful demonstration serves as a clear signal of India’s operational
readiness amidst the growing security challenges.
The missile firings follow the April 22 terror attack
in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where terrorists opened fire on
civilians, killing 26 people in one of the deadliest attacks since the
2019 Pulwama tragedy. The banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)-linked
group The Resistance Front (TRF) claimed responsibility for the attack.
Diplomatic and Military Fallout
Following the Pahalgam attack, India swiftly took strong
diplomatic actions, including deporting Pakistani nationals and suspending
the Indus Water Treaty, a crucial agreement that governs water sharing
between the two countries.
In response, Pakistan announced the suspension of all bilateral agreements
with India, further straining relations.
Tensions have also flared up along the Line of Control
(LoC), with repeated ceasefire violations reported. However, Indian forces
have responded effectively, ensuring there have been no major casualties so
far.
Addressing the nation in his monthly 'Mann Ki Baat'
broadcast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the Pahalgam terror
attack, saying:
"Every Indian's blood is boiling after the terror
attack. Each one of them is feeling the pain of those who lost their own. Peace
was returning to Kashmir, but the enemies of the country, of Jammu and Kashmir,
did not like this."
Advanced Capabilities of Indian Navy
Apart from the BrahMos missile tests, INS Surat—one
of India's latest and most advanced destroyers—also recently completed a
successful Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MR-SAM) test against a
sea-skimming target in the Arabian Sea.
INS Surat is a part of the Project 15B Guided
Missile Destroyer program and boasts over 75 percent indigenous content.
Equipped with cutting-edge weapon and sensor systems, it ranks among the most
advanced warships globally.
These series of successful tests underline the Indian Navy’s
growing self-reliance and modernization efforts, crucial for asserting India's
maritime dominance and ensuring security in the strategically vital Indian
Ocean Region.
Conclusion
As tensions between India and Pakistan continue to simmer,
India's robust military response—both diplomatically and through maritime shows
of strength—sends a firm message. The Indian Navy’s readiness exercises
highlight the country’s resolve to act decisively to protect its territorial
integrity and maritime interests.