Defence Minister Rajnath Singh speaks during a debate in the Lok Sabha on Operation Sindoor.
Credit: PTI Photo
New Delhi, July 28: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said during Operation Sindoor, a clear message was sent to Pakistan by the Indian Navy – India is ready to strike at “every base from sea to land” – forcing the western neighbour to retreat.
Referring to the maritime force strengthening its deployment in the north Arabian Sea, he said, “The Indian Navy gave a clear message to Pakistan that we are not only capable but also ready to attack their every important base, from sea to land. The attacks by the Indian Air Force (IAF), strong retaliation by the Indian Army along the Line of Control and the fear of naval attacks forced Pakistan to surrender. This defeat of Pakistan was not simply a failure, but a defeat of its military strength and morale,” Rajnath said, opening a debate on Operation Sindoor in the Lok Sabha.
The defence minister gave clear indication of the critical role that the Indian Navy had played during the four-day long intense Indo-Pak conflict. Senior navy officials earlier stated that within 96 hours of the Pahalgam attack, the Indian Navy deployed its aircraft carrier, front line warships, submarines and aviation assets in north Arabian Sea in full combat readiness.
In the Lok Sabha, Rajnath said on the morning of May 10, when the IAF struck heavy blows on multiple airfields, Pakistan conceded defeat and offered to cease hostilities.
“The offer was accepted with the caveat that the operation was only paused, and if there was any future misadventure on the part of Pakistan, it would lead to the resumption of the operation,” he added.
Rajnath added that Pakistan used missiles, drones, rockets and other long-range weapons as well as electronic warfare technologies on a large scale, targeting IAF bases, Indian Army ammunition depots, airports and military cantonments.
"But Pakistan was unable to hit any of the Indian targets and none of the important assets were damaged," he said.
In retaliation, the IAF targeted Pakistan’s airbases, command and control centers, military infrastructures, and air defense Systems, and the mission was successfully accomplished.
“Our retaliatory attack was swift, proportionate and precise,” he said.
Rajnath said on May 10, Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations contacted the Indian DGMO and appealed to halt the military operations. After formal talks on May 12 between the two DGMOs, both sides decided to put a halt to the operations.