INS Vikrant with 36-ship fleet equiped with BrahMos was in position to hit Karachi

In a historic show of naval strength, the Indian Navy deployed its largest-ever wartime fleet under Operation Sindoor, launched in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. Leading the charge was INS Vikrant, India's first indigenous aircraft carrier, which spearheaded a 36-warship armada aimed at dominating the Arabian Sea and sending a strong message to Pakistan.

According to India Today, INS Vikrant was accompanied by 8–10 advanced warships, strategically forward-deployed to assert maritime superiority. The operation marked a significant upgrade in India’s naval strategy and strength, especially when compared to the 1971 war, which saw only six warships mobilised against Karachi.

The strike fleet included seven destroyers, each armed with BrahMos cruise missiles, MRSAMs, and Varunastra torpedoes, capable of tackling threats across air, sea, and underwater domains. This technologically superior force was further strengthened by seven stealth guided-missile frigates, including the newly inducted INS Tushil, showcasing India’s growing indigenous defence capabilities.

In the undersea domain, six submarines worked in close coordination with the surface fleet, ensuring constant surveillance and preparedness. The naval force was bolstered by fast attack crafts and missile boats, forming a formidable maritime wall that not only deterred aggression but reportedly kept Pakistan’s naval fleet confined within Karachi port.

Pakistan, caught off-guard by the swift and extensive deployment, was forced to issue NAVAREA maritime warnings, signaling heightened threat perception. The overwhelming presence of the Indian Navy severely limited Pakistan’s response capability, as its naval strength falls below 30 warships.

Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7, following the devastating terror attack in Pahalgam, which primarily targeted Indian and foreign tourists. A day later, on May 8, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh briefed an all-party meeting, stating that strikes across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) had eliminated over 100 hardcore terrorists.

Tensions remained high until May 10, when both nations agreed to a mutual ceasefire, halting further escalation and bringing temporary calm after several days of intense military activity.