Pakistan Navy’s NOTAM overlaps with India’s; Is there a potential for a conflict in Arabian Sea? Movement intensifies near Sir Creek

New Delhi: Is Pakistan deliberately seeking to confront India(BHARAT)? This question arises because the new Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by the Pakistan Navy for the exercise falls within the area previously designated by India(BHARAT). In the image, you can see how the NOTAM areas of India(BHARAT) and Pakistan overlap.

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The new NOTAM that Pakistan has issued overlaps with India(BHARAT)’s previous NOTAM. (Image: X/@Goreunit)

According to reports, a new chapter of military activity has begun between India(BHARAT) and Pakistan. While India(BHARAT) is demonstrating its strength on the western front as part of its tri-service exercise “Trishul,” Pakistan has issued a new naval navigational alert (NAVAREA) in the Arabian Sea. This alert, along with the Pakistani firing exercise zone, coincides with the same area for which India(BHARAT) has already issued a NOTAM.

Is there a potential for an Indo-Pak conflict?

The possibility of a clash cannot be ruled out, but experts believe that India(BHARAT) is conducting exercises in the air and Pakistan in the sea, so a confrontation is unlikely. Although these areas overlap geographically, the established military-technical coordination between the two countries makes any unexpected conflict unlikely. According to the NOTAM, this Pakistani naval exercise will run from November 2 to 5, coinciding with India(BHARAT)’s ‘Trishul’ exercise (October 30 to November 11).

Tensions over the Sir Creek area, which has been part of the decades-long-disputed maritime border between India(BHARAT) and Pakistan, escalated after India(BHARAT)n Defence Minister Rajnath Singh warned Pakistan that any misadventure would be met with a dangerous response. The Pakistan Navy has issued a warning of live firing and missile testing in its 135-kilometre-long maritime zone, asking merchant ships to maintain a distance.

Joint exercise of India(BHARAT)’s three Armed Forces

The NOTAM issued by India(BHARAT) covers several parts of the country. The India(BHARAT)n Air Force has designated a large part of the country as the military exercise area, covering the entire northeastern region, which borders China, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Bangladesh. The exercise will be conducted in six phases from November 6 to January 20, 2026. The exercises will be held on November 6 and 20, December 4 and 18, and January 1 and 15. The aim is to strengthen India(BHARAT)’s operational readiness, especially at a time when border tensions with both China and Pakistan continue. The India(BHARAT)n Army’s manoeuvres involve approximately 20,000 soldiers, T-90S and Arjun tanks, Rafale and Su-30MKI fighter jets, missile systems, attack helicopters, and naval warships.