NEW DELHI: Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi said on Thursday the Indian Navy was just minutes away from launching strikes on Pakistan from the sea during Operation Sindoor, when Pakistan requested a halt to kinetic actions. Speaking at the Naval Investiture Ceremony, Admiral Tripathi said, “Operation Sindoor demonstrated exemplary readiness and resolve of the Indian Navy, as our units undertook swift deployment and maintained a highly aggressive posture throughout the period. It is not a hidden fact anymore that we were just minutes away from striking Pakistan from sea, when they requested the stoppage of kinetic actions.”Admiral Tripathi said the Navy’s actions during the operation strengthened national confidence and showed its capabilities at the highest level. Referring to an interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said, “Besides Operation Sindoor and the relentless operational tempo through the year, we were also very proud to showcase the breadth and depth of our operational capabilities to the honourable Prime Minister during a historic 17-hour overnight embarkation with the Indian Navy on the Western Seaboard.”Operation Sindoor was launched after the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025, in which 26 people were killed. The operation targeted and destroy terrorist bases in Pakistan, killing several terrorists.

The Navy chief on Wednesday also awarded Yudh Seva Medals to Vice Admiral A N Pramod and Vice Admiral Rahul Vilas Gokhale for their roles in Operation Sindoor.Vice Admiral Pramod, DGNO, was recognised for planning and executing India’s response amid tensions with Pakistan. His deployment in the North Arabian Sea denied Pakistan Navy operational space.Vice Admiral Gokhale was honoured for ensuring missile readiness and combat deployment of 22 warships within 96 hours, helping restrict Pakistan’s naval movement.Captain Suraj Rebeira, Captain Vikas Garg, Captain Piyush Katiyar, Commander Rajeshwar Sharma, Commander Vivek Kuriakose, Commander Kapil Kumar, Lieutenant Commander Rishabh Purbia and Chief Mechanical Engineer Manoj Kumar were also awarded Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry) for their roles in the operation.