Highlights:
India’s Navy Chief, Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, said that the Indian Navy was just minutes away from launching a major strike against Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. He made this statement on Wednesday (1) while speaking at a naval ceremony in Mumbai.
According to Admiral Tripathi, the Navy had reached a very advanced stage of readiness and was fully prepared to carry out a maritime attack. However, the strike was stopped after Pakistan requested India to halt military actions.
“It is not a hidden fact anymore that we were just minutes away from striking Pakistan from the sea when they requested a stoppage of kinetic actions,” he said. His comments give new insight into how close the situation came to further escalation during the operation.
Operation Sindoor was launched by India on May 7, 2025. It was a response to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people, most of them tourists. The operation targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK).
Admiral Tripathi explained that all branches of the Indian military were highly prepared during the operation. The Navy, in particular, had positioned itself strongly in the Arabian Sea, ready to strike if needed. He said this level of readiness showed the strength and capability of India’s maritime forces.
The Navy Chief also spoke about the overall impact of the operation. He said that the actions taken during Operation Sindoor increased public trust in the armed forces. According to him, the Navy demonstrated both its power and its ability to respond quickly in times of crisis.
During the ceremony, Admiral Tripathi awarded Yudh Seva Medals to two senior naval officers for their important roles in the operation. He praised their efforts and leadership during a critical time.
He also mentioned a special event where India’s Prime Minister joined the Navy for a 17-hour overnight journey along the western coast. This mission, he said, showcased the Navy’s operational strength and readiness. It highlighted how well the Navy can perform extended missions and maintain a strong presence at sea.
Meanwhile, there has been international attention on how the conflict ended. Donald Trump has claimed multiple times that the United States helped stop the conflict between India and Pakistan. However, India has denied this claim.
Indian officials have stated that the ceasefire was achieved through direct communication between the two countries. Specifically, the agreement to stop military actions was reached through talks between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both sides.
Overall, Admiral Tripathi’s remarks show how serious the situation was during Operation Sindoor. The Indian Navy was fully ready to act, and only a last-minute request prevented a possible sea strike. His statement highlights both the high level of military preparedness and the importance of diplomatic communication in avoiding further escalation.
Security personnel inspect the site in the aftermath of an attack as food stall chairs lie empty in Pahalgam, about 90 kilometres (55 miles) from Srinagar on April 23, 2025. Indian security forces in Kashmir carried out a major manhunt on April 23, a day after gunmen opened fire on tourists killing 26 people in the region's deadliest attack on civilians since 2000. Getty Images
Tourists visit Betaab Valley in Pahalgam, about 112 km south of Srinagar on June 26, 2025.Getty Images
Pilgrims gather at the Baltal Base Camp near Domel, en route to the sacred Amarnath cave in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India, on July 29, 2025. The annual Amarnath Yatra, which began on July 3, proceeds under heightened security following a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 25 tourists and a local pony handler. Security forces have been deployed in large numbers across the pilgrimage route, with checkpoints, surveillance, and restrictions in place to safeguard the thousands of devotees undertaking the arduous journey. The Amarnath Yatra is one of the most important Hindu pilgrimages, drawing worshippers from across India to the high-altitude Himalayan shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. Despite the threat of violence and challenging terrain, pilgrims continue their spiritual trek, determined to complete the sacred journey under the shadow of grief and resilience.Getty Images
