INS Vikrant Strikes Karachi in Naval Operation

INS Vikrant Leads Major Naval Offensive, Strikes Deep into Pakistani Waters

 

In a bold escalation of military operations, the Indian Navy has now taken centre stage in a coordinated offensive against Pakistan, following precision strikes carried out by the Indian Air Force. The indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, positioned strategically in the Arabian Sea, has unleashed a wave of missile strikes targeting critical Pakistani naval infrastructure, including the heavily fortified port cities of Karachi and Ormara.

Defence sources confirm that a volley of long-range cruise missiles was launched from INS Vikrant on Thursday morning, igniting massive fires across Karachi and Ormara, two of Pakistan’s most vital naval hubs. The strikes are understood to have targeted Pakistani Navy command centres, warship docks, submarine pens, and logistics nodes. Plumes of thick black smoke now blanket Karachi's coastline, and panic-stricken civilians have begun evacuating in large numbers from the city’s coastal belt.

Satellite imagery and preliminary battle damage assessments suggest extensive damage to Pakistan Navy’s Western Command, potentially crippling their operational capacity in the region. Ormara, which houses key maritime surveillance and logistics facilities, also reportedly suffered major structural damage.

This offensive follows Operation Sindoor—a coordinated multi-domain retaliation executed by India in response to the recent Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 Indian citizens. On the morning of 7 May, Indian forces launched a barrage of precision-guided munitions targeting nine terrorist camps across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and deeper into Pakistan’s heartland.

According to government sources, over 100 terrorists were neutralised in the opening hours of the campaign. The ongoing nature of the strikes has made it difficult to provide a definitive casualty figure. However, it marks one of the most comprehensive and integrated uses of air and naval power by India in recent years.

INS Vikrant’s deployment and combat debut in live operations signals a transformational shift in India’s maritime posture, enabling blue-water offensive capabilities beyond the subcontinent. Analysts suggest this may mark the beginning of a new doctrinal phase in India's naval strategy—where offensive sea control plays a central role in national security.

As of Thursday night, the Indian Navy’s operations continue with high alert status maintained across all Western Naval Command installations. No Indian casualties or asset losses have been reported thus far.