ISLAMABAD: India has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) reserving asignificant portion of its airspace near the southern border with Pakistanfor an upcoming Indian Air Force exercise. The notification covers areas inRajasthan and Gujarat, extending restrictions up to 28,000 feet. This moveunderscores New Delhi’s commitment to operational preparedness in avolatile region marked by persistent cross-border frictions.
The exercise, part of routine drills, involves frontline aircraft such asRafale, Mirage 2000, and Sukhoi-30 fighters, along with surveillanceplatforms. Satellite imagery analyzed by open-source intelligence expertsreveals an unusually large designated zone, suggesting enhanced scalecompared to previous maneuvers. Indian officials describe it as ademonstration of seamless multi-domain interoperability among the army,navy, and air force branches.
The Pakistani reciprocal actions echo patterns observed since OperationSindoor earlier this year, when mutual airspace closures intensifiedbilateral strains following a terror incident in Pahalgam, Kashmir.
Such notifications, while standard for military exercises, carry addedweight amid ongoing ceasefire violations along the Line of Control. Thetiming, just months after heightened standoffs, raises concerns aboutinadvertent escalations between the nuclear-armed neighbors. Diplomaticchannels remain engaged, yet experts urge de-escalation to preventmiscalculations in this sensitive theater.
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Regional observers note that these drills not only bolster defensivepostures but also serve as subtle signaling of resolve. As civil aviationauthorities coordinate to minimize disruptions, the international communitywatches closely, advocating restraint. The exercises highlight the enduringchallenges in fostering stability along the 3,300-kilometer frontier, wheresecurity imperatives often overshadow peace initiatives.
Source:www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-tri-services-trishul-exercise-border-rattled-pakistan-notam-airspace-2808187-2025-10-25″>https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-tri-services-trishul-exercise-border-rattled-pakistan-notam-airspace-2808187-2025-10-25