Did the Indian Navy launch an attack on Pakistan’s Karachi Port?

New Delhi (India) May 9: On Thursday night, a number of explosions were recorded close to Karachi's port region; unreliable reports suggested that missile strikes on important Pakistani navy sites may have happened.

India has conducted a major military operation on Karachi Port amid intensifying tensions with Pakistan.

According to reports, late Thursday night, huge explosions were heard close to the port area in Karachi, a city in southern Pakistan.

The Indian Navy has launched a frontal campaign against Pakistan for the first time since the war in 1971. However, the Indian Navy's attack on the Karachi port has not been formally confirmed.

According to defence officials, the INS Vikrant launched several missiles towards Pakistan's Karachi and Ormara ports. Both Karachi and Ormara are home to bases for the Pakistani Navy, which house its highest officers' offices in along with warships and submarines. The operation by the Indian Navy is still in progress.

The Western Fleet of the Indian Navy, which is based in Mumbai, has reportedly been fully deployed and is still on high alert. Though no official confirmation has been made yet, interest was created by a video that was frequently posted on social media and showed explosions close to the port.

In December 1971, India last launched a naval attack against Pakistan. Then, the Indian Navy targeted the port of Karachi with two operations: Operation Trident and Operation Python. Besides destroying many vessels and oil storage facilities, these strikes seriously harmed Pakistan's naval operations.

Pakistan's increasing drone and missile attacks on Indian military and civilian targets in Punjab, Rajasthan, and Jammu & Kashmir are said to be the reason behind the Navy's attack. Numerous incoming threats, including eight missiles and drones, were apparently intercepted by Indian air defence systems.

Operation Sindoor, which was launched on May 7 and targeted terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) without hitting any military sites, was followed by the most recent Indian attack. With attacks already being reported in important Pakistani towns, including Lahore, Thursday's retaliation attack, however, shows a change in India's military mindset.

Aadrika Tayal