In a shining example of interoperability and jointness of the armed forces, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Tripathi on Tuesday highlighted how India’s “immediate action and aggressive posturing” during Operation Sindoor kept the Pakistani Navy occupied and forced them to remain near their ports and the Makran coast.
“Suffice to say, the aggressive posturing and immediate action during Op Sindoor, including the deployment of the carrier battle group in the Northern Arabian Sea, forced the Pakistan Navy to remain close to their ports or near the Makran coast,” CNS Admiral Dinesh Tripathi said during a press conference.
While the Indian Air Force carried out strikes on Pakistani bases, the Indian Army monitored border areas, playing a pivotal role in defending against any potential attacks from Pakistan.
Admiral Tripathi also extended advance greetings to the nation on Navy Day, which is officially celebrated on December 4. This year, a Navy Day program will be held on December 3 at Shangumugham Beach in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, with President Droupadi Murmu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, attending as the chief guest.
“Although Navy Day is on December 4, I take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy Navy Day in advance,” Admiral Tripathi said.
Remembering the decisive strikes launched by the Indian Navy on Pakistan on December 4 during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War, he highlighted how such operations, much like Operation Sindoor, changed the course of the war in India’s favor.
“We celebrate Navy Day on December 4 to commemorate our audacious and decisive strikes on December 4, 1971, which caused significant destruction and shattered the enemy’s will to fight. This day is also an opportunity to remember our heroes and pay homage to the brave naval warriors who sacrificed for the nation,” he said.
Admiral Tripathi expressed gratitude to naval veterans whose vision, leadership, and selfless dedication laid the foundation for today’s combat-ready, credible, cohesive, and future-ready Atmanirbhar Navy.
India’s marine history spans thousands of years, but the Indian Navy in its current form was officially founded on January 20, 1950.
The Navy played a crucial role during the 1971 India-Pakistan War, leading to the creation of Bangladesh. Its primary task was to blockade Pakistan’s eastern and western coasts, disrupting supply lines and weakening Pakistan’s maritime capabilities.
The Eastern Fleet, under Rear Admiral Krishnan, launched a series of strikes on Pakistan’s ports, including a successful attack on the Karachi naval base, severely damaging Pakistan’s naval assets. (Agencies)
