Operation Sindoor | Offensive action threat major factor in Pakistan’s ceasefire request: Vice-Admiral Swaminathan

Vice Admiral K Swaminathan said that in a very short period, the Indian Navy had deployed more than 30 ships and submarines and India's frontline ships were poised for combat off the Makran coast under the umbrella of the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant battle group.

Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan

During operation Sindoor, a threat of offensive action by the Indian Navy could be considered as one of the key factors in Pakistan requesting for a ceasefire, said Vice Admiral K Swaminathan, who is also the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, during a media interaction on Tuesday. He said that in a very short period, the Indian Navy had deployed more than 30 ships and submarines and India’s frontline ships were poised for combat off the Makran coast under the umbrella of the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant battle group.

“The offensive deployment and posturing of the Navy also included a successful weapons firing in April, and forced the Pakistan Navy to remain close to its coast. In fact, the threat of offensive action by the Indian Navy could be considered one of the important factors in Pakistan requesting a ceasefire,” said Swaminathan, adding Operation Sindoor was still ongoing and that the Indian Navy and Western Naval Command stood ready to undertake any mission in support of India’s national maritime interests.

Operation Sindoor is a military action which was launched after the terrorist attacks in Pahalgam on April 25, in which 26 people were killed. The natural outcome of Operation Sindoor has been the efforts of the three services to strengthen jointness and integration.

Also Read | Explained: The 9 terror camps in Pakistan, PoK, struck in Operation Sindoor

Raising concerns over the recent meeting of Pakistani navy chief admiral Naveed Ashraf with his Bangladesh counterpart M Nazmul Hassan for bilateral defence ties, Swaminathan said that military cooperation between the two could lead to new challenges for India. He added that the Indian Navy is aware and keeping an eye on developments in neighbouring countries. “The Eastern Naval Command is the first responder and if the Navy chief asks for any support from western naval command, we are ready,” he said.

Thirteen people, including an officer of the Indian Navy and two contractual naval employees, were killed when a naval speedboat which was conducting engine trials crashed into a passenger ferry, Neel Kamal, carrying over 100 passengers from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Island, in December 2024. when asked about the status of the Board of Inquiry (BOI) report, Swaminathan replied that it has been submitted to the headquarters and the reasons for why the accident happened has not yet been determined. “It was an unfortunate accident and we have implemented a couple of things while conducting patrols and sea trails to minimise the risk,” added Swaminathan.

Also Read | Pakistan has rebuilt, reactivated 72 terror launchpads along Jammu frontier since Op Sindoor, BSF says

He said that the Indian Navy was taking necessary steps to deal with maritime security of non-traditional threats such as maritime terrorism, piracy, robbery, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, human trafficking, illicit trade in drugs and arms, which continue to rise.

Over the last two years, a total of 41 anti-piracy deployment have been undertaken with more than 180 personnel rescued, 8 piracy attacks thwarted, 62 pirates intercepted and safe passage provided to over 125 million metric tonnes of cargo bound for the Indian ports. During an anti narcotics operation, the Navy had seized 700 kg drugs worth Rs 40,000 crore since February 2024. The Indian Navy became an active member of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) in 2023 and since then, the ships have participated in 10 missions and aircraft have flown over 20 sorties as part of the CMF.

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