As India Begins Tri-Services Drill Near Sir Creek, Pakistan Issues Naval Warning

New Delhi: As India kicked off its high-profile tri-services military exercise Trishul near the SIR Creek region along the Pakistan border, Islamabad responded by issuing a naval navigational warning for a live firing drill in the same area. The development was first reported by open-source intelligence (OSINT) analyst Damien Symon on Saturday, sparking discussions among defense observers about the timing and intent behind Pakistan’s move.

The Pakistan Navy’s navigational alert overlaps geographically with the airspace India has designated for its ongoing exercise, which is taking place from October 30 to November 10, 2025. The exercise aims to demonstrate India’s advances in technology, Atmanirbharta (self-Reliance), and joint warfare capabilities through coordinated missions involving the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Pakistan’s NOTAM and Naval Alert Raise Eyebrows

Pakistan now issues a naval navigational warning for a firing exercise in the same area India has an airspace reservation for its ongoing tri-services military drills

02-05 November 2025 pic.twitter.com/Gz7d3Q4igK

— Damien Symon (@detresfa_) November 1, 2025

Just days earlier, Islamabad issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) restricting several flight corridors over central and southern Pakistan between October 28 and 29. While no official explanation accompanied the restrictions, defense analysts suggested that they were likely linked to a scheduled military drill or weapons testing coinciding with India’s Trishul exercise.

Now, with a fresh naval warning in the same timeframe, experts believe both sides are engaging in a pattern of calibrated strategic signaling-actions that demonstrate readiness while avoiding open confrontation.

Scope and Scale of Exercise Trishul

According to the Indian Ministry of Defence, Exercise Trishul is one of India’s largest joint operations in recent years, designed to validate the integration of advanced weaponry and joint force doctrines. The operation covers both creek and desert sectors as well as amphibious warfare missions off the Saurashtra coast. Satellite imagery shared by OSINT analysts revealed that India had reserved airspace up to 28,000 feet for the exercise, underscoring its vast operational footprint.

“Troops from Southern Command will actively participate to validate joint operations across diverse terrains,” the Defence Ministry stated, emphasizing coordination among the three branches of the armed forces. The inclusion of air, land, and maritime components reflects India’s growing emphasis on multi-domain warfare and operational synergy.

Pakistan’s Strategic Monitoring and Regional Signaling

Pakistan’s issuance of air and sea restrictions signals heightened vigilance near its maritime and land borders. Analysts say that these moves are not unusual given recent cross-border military signaling between the two nations. Since India’s Operation Sindoor-a joint response to the Pahalgam terror incident-both countries have increasingly used such notifications to convey readiness without escalating conflict.

“Both sides are expressing readiness through calibrated signaling,” a South Asian defense expert noted. “However, when military activities overlap geographically, there’s a greater risk of misunderstanding or unintended escalation.”

Balanced Posturing, Not Escalation

Defense observers stress that while the proximity of these exercises may appear tense, they reflect a form of mutual deterrence rather than preparation for direct confrontation. Each nation’s drills are strategically timed to demonstrate preparedness and national strength, particularly amid ongoing border vigilance and maritime competition in the Arabian Sea.

As Exercise Trishul continues through mid-November, regional analysts will be watching closely to assess whether Pakistan’s naval activity remains limited to signaling-or evolves into a broader military posture near the Sir Creek frontier.