India deploys warships near Pakistani waters amid growing tensions Telegraph

In a dangerous escalation of tensions, India has deployed warships equipped with supersonic cruise missiles to the northern Arabian Sea, bringing them within striking distance of Karachi — Pakistan's commercial and naval hub.

Telegraph reported that the western naval fleet, which includes an aircraft carrier, destroyers, frigates, and anti-submarine warfare ships, has moved to a position approximately 300 to 400 miles from the Pakistani coast.

Several of the warships are reportedly armed with BrahMos cruise missiles — a joint venture between India and Russia — capable of carrying a 300kg warhead and reaching speeds up to Mach 3 with a strike range of 500 miles.

Security analysts warn that any attack on Karachi would be catastrophic for Pakistan, given that the port handles around 60% of the country's trade and houses the naval headquarters.

India's naval deployment follows its claim of intercepting a series of alleged Pakistani missile and drone attacks targeting 15 cities across northern and western India — an assertion Pakistan has categorically denied, calling it propaganda and misinformation by Indian media.

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The tensions began escalating sharply after India launched cross-border airstrikes on May 7, allegedly targeting nine “terrorist camps” in Pakistan.

These strikes were said to be in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam attack, in which 26 people were killed at a tourist destination in Indian-occupied Kashmir.

While New Delhi maintains that around 80 jets participated in the strikes, Islamabad has rejected India’s claims, confirming instead that 31 civilians were killed, and several non-military sites, including mosques and a power plant, were hit.

In retaliation, the Pakistan Air Force claimed to have downed several Indian aircraft, including three French-built Rafale fighter jets, intensifying fears of a broader military conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.