In the backdrop of tension between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian Navy carried out multiple anti-ship firings revalidating their readiness for long range precision “offensive” strikes. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, meanwhile, was briefed about the current security situation by military top brass.
“Indian Navy ships undertook successful multiple anti-ship firings to revalidate and demonstrate readiness of platforms, systems and crew for long range precision offensive strike,” the Indian Navy said in a statement here on Sunday.
“Indian Navy stands combat ready, credible and future ready in safeguarding the nation’s maritime interests anytime, anywhere, anyhow,” it said. The Navy also released videos of the live firings at sea.
The visuals showed BrahMos anti-ship and anti-surface cruise missiles being launched from a fleet of warships, including Kolkata-class destroyers and Nilgiri and Krivak-class frigates,
The demonstration of the Navy’s combat prowess came amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan over the dastardly Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians.
Amid escalating tensions, INS Surat, last week also completed a successful precision test of the Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MR-SAM) system against a sea-skimming target in the Arabian Sea.
INS Surat, part of the Project 15B Guided Missile Destroyer program, ranks among the most advanced warships globally, featuring 75 per cent indigenous content and equipped with state-of-the-art weapon and sensor systems.
Citing “cross-border linkages” to the horrific attack, India has already promised severe punishment to those involved in the strike that triggered wide-spread outrage within India and abroad.
India announced a raft of punitive measures against Pakistan on Wednesday, including suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, shutting down of the only operational land border crossing at Attari and downgrading of diplomatic ties in view of cross-border links to the attack.
In response, Pakistan on Thursday shut its airspace to Indian airliners and suspended all trade with India, including through third countries. Pakistan also rejected India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and said any move to stop the flow of water will be seen as an “act of war”.
Tensions have further escalated with repeated ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC), to which Indian forces have responded effectively, though no casualties have been reported so far.
