ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Navy has issued a critical NAVAREA IX and NOTMARalert, cautioning mariners and aviators of live-weapon firing exercisesscheduled in the Arabian Sea from November 25 at 07:30 IST to November 26at 14:30 IST. The restricted zone, located approximately 200 nautical milessouthwest of Karachi near Ormara in Balochistan, spans coordinates 24-30N,065-30E to 066-30E. This precautionary measure ensures safe navigationwhile the navy deploys surface vessels, submarines, and aircraft forprecision strikes. Authorities emphasize that unauthorized entry into thearea could pose severe risks, urging compliance with international maritimeprotocols.
The exercise represents a pivotal demonstration of Pakistan’s operationalreadiness, focusing on integrated firepower integration and anti-surfacewarfare tactics. Involving assets like frigates, missile boats, and P-3COrion aircraft, it aims to enhance interoperability and responsecapabilities against asymmetric threats. Naval officials describe it asroutine yet strategically timed, bolstering deterrence in a volatilemaritime domain where piracy and smuggling persist alongsidestate-sponsored provocations. Such drills underscore Islamabad’s commitmentto safeguarding exclusive economic zones vital for energy imports and traderoutes.
This maneuver gains heightened significance against the backdrop of India’songoing Exercise Trishul, a massive tri-services drill near the Sir Creekregion involving over 20,000 personnel, warships, and fighter jets.Launched on November 1, Trishul simulates high-intensity conflictscenarios, including amphibious assaults and air-sea operations, perilouslyclose to Pakistan’s western.
Analysts view Pakistan’s counter-exercise as a calibrated response toperceived encirclement, signaling that any aggressive posturing will elicitreciprocal resolve and potentially escalate tensions in the shared waters.
Regional security experts highlight the Arabian Sea’s role as a flashpoint,where overlapping exclusive economic zones amplify collision risks duringconcurrent activities. Pakistan’s alert not only deconflicts operations butalso projects strategic depth, reassuring allies of its defensive posturewithout provocative intent. As both nations calibrate forces, diplomaticchannels remain open to avert miscalculations, though underlying distrustfrom historical rivalries lingers. The exercise concludes a series of navalmaneuvers this year, reflecting Islamabad’s proactive defense modernizationamid evolving threats.
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In essence, this live-firing drill reaffirms Pakistan’s maritimesovereignty, serving as a tacit warning to adversaries while fosteringnational morale. With global powers monitoring South Asian dynamics, suchdisplays contribute to stability by deterring adventurism. The navyanticipates seamless execution, paving the way for enhanced vigilance intothe new year.
