‘Pakistan Could’ve Split Into 4 If Navy Came Into Action In Operation Sindoor’: Rajnath Singh On INS Vikrant
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, aboard INS Vikrant, warned Pakistan that a full Indian Navy engagement during Operation Sindoor could have led to its further fragmentation.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, aboard India’s indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant on Friday, issued a stern warning to Pakistan while highlighting the Indian Navy’s role in Operation Sindoor. He remarked that if the Navy had actively joined combat during the operation, Pakistan would have faced a far graver situation than in 1971 — possibly being split into four parts.
“1971 is a witness to this, that when the Indian Navy came into action, Pakistan was divided from one to two. If the Indian Navy had come into action in Operation Sindoor, then Pakistan would not only have been divided into two parts, but I think it would have been divided into four parts,” said Singh, according to news agency ANI.
The Defence Minister reviewed operational readiness aboard the 45,000-tonne warship, which is currently deployed in the Arabian Sea, and praised the Navy’s strategic role in neutralising threats during the operation.
Commending the Navy’s silent but decisive operations, Singh stated, “During ‘Operation Sindoor’, the Indian Navy has impressed every Indian with its silent service. Despite remaining silent, the Indian Navy succeeded in tying down the Pakistani Army.”
He highlighted the Navy’s aggressive deployment, superior maritime domain awareness and preparedness, which kept the Pakistani Navy confined to its own shores. “They could not even muster the courage to come into the open sea,” he said.
Singh also lauded the Navy’s forward presence and precision strike capabilities. “Our Western Fleet ships deployed at sea carried out multiple successful firings of surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles and torpedoes along the western and eastern coast, within 96 hours of the terrorist attack, which shows the combat readiness of our platforms, systems and crews. These long-range precision strikes also demonstrated our intent and readiness against the enemy and forced the enemy into a defensive posture,” he noted.
Enemy Stunned By Navy Preparation: Rajnath Singh
The Defence Minister further emphasised how the force projection of the Vikrant Carrier Battle Group alone had stunned the adversary. “Your strong preparation has already broken the morale of the enemy. You did not even need to take action, the enemy was stunned by your preparation itself,” he stated.
He warned Pakistan that it was “fortunate” the Navy had not fully engaged during the operation. “In a way, Pakistan is very lucky that our Navy did not display its valour during Operation Sindoor,” he remarked, while urging the Navy to remain vigilant. “Whatever has happened till now was just a warm up. If Pakistan dares to do anything again, then this time the Navy will also get into action and then only God knows what will happen to Pakistan.”
At the beginning of his address, Singh described INS Vikrant as a true embodiment of its name. “The meaning of ‘Vikrant’ is – indomitable courage, and unconquerable power. Today, standing among all you brave soldiers, I am seeing the meaning of this name come true. The determination in your eyes reflects the real power of India.”
According to an official statement issued by the Government of India, the Indian Navy’s Carrier Battle Group (CBG), led by INS Vikrant, played a crucial role in maintaining maritime superiority during Operation Sindoor by keeping Pakistan’s naval forces confined to their harbours.
Operating as a composite networked force equipped with MiG-29K fighter jets and airborne early warning helicopters, the CBG enabled persistent surveillance and real-time identification of maritime threats. The statement said, “The CBG maintained a powerful air defence shield that prevented hostile aerial incursions, especially from the Makran coast,” effectively bottling up Pakistani air assets along their western seaboard.
Naval pilots carried out round-the-clock sorties, showcasing India’s readiness and strategic reach, while validating the Navy’s anti-missile and anti-aircraft defence capabilities.
INS Vikrant, commissioned into the Indian Navy in 2022, is a key symbol of India’s defence self-reliance. It is set to be further enhanced with the inclusion of Rafale Marine fighter jets, which will complement the current MiG-29K fleet. The deal for 26 Rafale aircraft — 22 single-seaters and four twin-seaters — was signed last month under an Inter-Governmental Agreement between India and France, according to a statement by the Ministry of Defence.
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