The Indian aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, retreated to a naval base after spending only a few days in the open sea, reportedly due to Pakistan Navy's 'anti-access and area-denial strategy', sources said on Sunday.
According to the latest satellite intelligence (IMINT) images taken on April 26, Vikrant was seen re-anchored at Karwar port. The aircraft carrier had been deployed in the Arabian Sea in response to rising tensions between Pakistan and India.
Indian media and social media had been abuzz over the deployment of Vikrant. However, the Indian Navy decided to recall the aircraft carrier following the ongoing presence and continuous patrolling by Pakistan Navy vessels.
The sources confirmed that Vikrant had been observed in the North Arabian Sea near Pakistani maritime boundaries on April 23. It was then reported to have returned to Karwar Naval Base on April 25, with recent satellite images confirming its anchorage ashore.
According to the sources, an aircraft carrier is not deployed in the open sea for just a few days, but if the Pakistan Navy's "carrier killer" missile systems are active at sea, they added, "retreat is the only safe option".
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