[5] Kohli served as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-IN-C) of the Western Naval Command during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971 and successfully led Indian Navy's Western Fleet in Operation Trident and Operation Python against the Pakistan Navy fleet in Karachi.

[6] Kohli joined the Royal Indian Navy Volunteer Reserve as a cadet in May 1936, immediately after his graduation.

He was promoted to acting Lieutenant Commander in 1946 and served at the then RIN Naval Headquarters, HMIS Dalhousie.

After independence, Kohli opted to join the Indian Navy and was one of the key officers selected to oversee the expansion of the naval fleet.

[9] Other appointments that Kohli held included those as the Senior Officer of the flagship of the Indian Navy, INS Godavari (D92).

On 12 February 1971, Kohli was appointed the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-IN-C) of the Western Naval Command.

During the war with Pakistan in December 1971, Kohli provided operational leadership for the devastating attacks on Karachi harbour.