Indian Navy successfully tests missile destroyer from INS Surat days after Pahalgam attack

On Thursday, the Indian Navy announced the successful test of its newest indigenous guided missile destroyer, INS Surat. The warship intercepted and destroyed a fast, low-flying missile target skimming just above the sea surface, marking a significant technological milestone.

The interception was a precision cooperative engagement, showcasing India’s enhanced defence preparedness and the growing sophistication of its indigenous military platforms. The successful test adds another chapter to the Navy’s ongoing drive toward self-reliance and readiness in securing national maritime interests.

This demonstration of strength follows closely after the horrific terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, which left 26 people dead and over 20 injured. Intelligence reports suggest that the massacre was orchestrated by Pakistan's ISI and Army through its proxy outfit, The Resistance Front (TRF). The missile interception's timing is viewed as a stern strategic signal amid rising cross-border tensions.

In a related development, Pakistan has issued a maritime warning for April 24–25, announcing plans to conduct a surface-to-surface missile test from its Karachi coastline, within its Exclusive Economic Zone. The proximity of these developments has heightened alert levels on both sides of the border.

Sharing a video of the test, the Indian Navy praised the capabilities of INS Surat, affirming that the successful interception reinforces India’s layered air defence systems and combat readiness in real-time scenarios. The destroyer represents a leap forward in naval technology, combining stealth, agility, and firepower.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his first public remarks since the Pahalgam massacre, vowed strong retaliation and justice. “Those who committed this barbaric act will be chased to the ends of the earth,” he said. Modi’s statement and the Navy’s show of strength underline a unified national resolve to combat terror and fortify India’s defence framework.