June 27:
In a significant revelation, sources from the Indian defence establishment have confirmed that the Indian Navy was assigned specific strike targets during Operation Sindoor, launched after the 2019 Pulwama terror attack. Although the Navy did not ultimately carry out the strikes, it came close to engaging Pakistani military assets, officials familiar with the operation said.
Operation Sindoor, a classified mission, was part of India’s broader tri-services response following the Pulwama suicide bombing, which claimed the lives of 40 CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir. While the Indian Air Force went ahead with the Balakot air strikes, it has now emerged that the Navy was fully mobilised and prepared for action in the Arabian Sea.
Sources revealed that target packages were assigned to naval warships, submarines, and aircraft, with clearance protocols in place. The Western Naval Command was placed on high alert, and frontline platforms were reportedly deployed to strategic locations in anticipation of a potential escalation.
“The Navy had orders for precision strikes and was awaiting final clearance. It was a near-execution scenario,” a senior official said on condition of anonymity. He added that several Pakistani assets were identified as potential targets, and India’s maritime forces were within striking distance.
Although no missiles were launched, Indian Navy units conducted extensive surveillance and deterrence operations. Maritime reconnaissance aircraft, guided-missile destroyers, and attack submarines maintained forward positions, which reportedly caused Pakistan to alter its naval posture in response.
Analysts say the disclosure underlines the growing role of the Indian Navy in strategic deterrence and reflects enhanced coordination among the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Military experts have described Operation Sindoor as a demonstration of India’s shift towards joint-force readiness and integrated combat operations.
“India had a fully synchronised tri-services plan in place after Pulwama. The Navy’s role, though not executed in full, was a critical part of this deterrence posture,” said defence analyst Commodore (retd) Ramesh Kapoor.
The developments point to a more assertive Indian defence strategy, signalling that future responses to cross-border terror attacks could involve multi-domain operations, including the use of naval power.
While details of Operation Sindoor remain classified, officials suggest that its objectives were met through show-of-force deployments and strategic signalling, which contributed to managing escalation in the region.
The Indian Navy’s readiness to strike and its silent but significant role in the 2019 post-Pulwama military posture underscore the country’s evolving approach to regional security and proactive defence doctrines.
