A high-stakes military standoff is playing out in the Arabian Sea, as Pakistan commences live-fire naval exercises in the very waters where India is conducting its largest military drills in years, codenamed ‘Trishul.’ The overlapping operational zones of these two nuclear-armed nations have ignited serious concerns over regional security.
On Saturday, Pakistan’s navy announced its intention to conduct live-fire drills from November 2nd to 5th. The designated area spans roughly 6,000 square kilometers in the northern Arabian Sea, a zone that is currently the focus of India’s extensive ‘Trishul’ exercise, involving naval fleets, air power, and ground troops. Mariners have been strongly advised to remain clear of Pakistan’s exercise zone.
While the geographical proximity of Pakistan’s and India’s maritime territories in the northern Arabian Sea makes some overlap unavoidable, the synchronization of these drills is highly significant. Pakistan’s exercises commenced just two days after India initiated its major two-week operation, a substantial display of military might following the intense May confrontation.
Analysts have pointed out the critical nature of Pakistani warships planning live surface and sub-surface firing operations within the same operational space as Indian forces. This creates a precarious situation demanding extreme caution.
The current exercises follow the near-war scenario of ‘Operation Sindoor’ in May. The overlapping drills, particularly in the vicinity of the long-disputed Sir Creek sector, underscore the persistent strategic challenges and the potential for serious escalations in the region.