Pakistan Navy highlights joint defence strategy during India conflict

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s naval operations deputy chief on Thursday said the country’s armed forces demonstrated strong coordination during the “Marka-i-Haq” (Battle of Truth) adding that Pakistan’s ports, maritime installations and naval assets remained secure throughout the conflict with India.

Addressing a press briefing alongside the ISPR spokesperson, Rear Admiral Shifaat Ali Khan said that Pakistan’s adversary was overconfident in its military capabilities but did not act on its aggressive posture.

“The enemy was overconfident in its naval strength,” he said, adding that the Indian Navy was fully equipped but did not pursue any act of aggression.

He said India had attempted to deploy its naval fleet, while stressing that Pakistan remained committed to peace but would not allow its restraint to be interpreted as weakness.

“We want peace, but it should not be mistaken for weakness,” he said.

The naval officer said Pakistan Navy and Air Force had remained fully prepared and closely coordinated during the crisis, adding that the country’s maritime boundaries were effectively defended.

“Our naval assets remained secure at sea,” he said.

He said the coordination between Pakistan’s armed forces had been a key factor in what he described as a successful outcome of the conflict.

He also said Pakistan had the capability to defend its maritime domain in both peace and wartime conditions.

Ghazi added that Pakistan Navy was playing an important role in counter-narcotics operations in the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman, and highlighted a recent incident in which Pakistani forces responded to a fire aboard a vessel near Oman.

He said the ship, located near an Indian vessel at a distance of about 30 nautical miles, was successfully rescued and its crew evacuated after Pakistani assistance.

Military officials have repeatedly highlighted inter-services coordination during the April tensions with India, which both sides have described differently.