Tensions rise as Pakistan restricts air traffic ahead of India’s major military exercise

Islamabad: Pakistan has restricted multiple air routes across its airspace just days before India begins its massive tri-services military drill ‘Exercise Trishul’ near the Sir Creek border, heightening regional military tensions.

According to reports, in a move reflecting rising military sensitivity, Pakistan has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) restricting several air traffic routes across its central and southern airspace between October 28 and 29. The notification, issued by Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority, comes just days ahead of India’s Exercise Trishul, a major tri-services operation scheduled from October 30 to November 10 near the Sir Creek sector of the Gujarat–Sindh border.

Although Islamabad has not provided an official explanation for the restrictions, the timing suggests a response to India’s upcoming joint Army–Navy–Air Force drill. India’s Ministry of Defence has described Exercise Trishul as a large-scale readiness test designed to enhance joint operational capability and inter-service coordination.

India’s Mega Military Drill

Troops from India’s Southern Command will participate in multi-domain operations spanning land, air, and sea. The exercise will feature amphibious missions off the Saurashtra coast, offensive manoeuvres in desert areas, and advanced air operations up to 28,000 feet.

Defence analyst Damien Symon shared satellite data showing extensive airspace reservations for the exercise, calling the scale and proximity to Pakistan’s key military installations “unusual”. The operations also highlight India’s emphasis on Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) and indigenous defence innovation.

Rising Tensions Along the Sir Creek Border

The Sir Creek area — a 96-kilometre marshy estuary dividing Gujarat from Pakistan’s Sindh province — has long been a point of contention between the two neighbours. Control of the creek influences maritime boundaries, naval operations, and access to energy-rich offshore resources in the Arabian Sea.

Pakistan’s airspace restrictions come amid heightened vigilance following India’s Operation Sindoor, in which Indian forces targeted terror camps and military sites in Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack. Such overlapping NOTAMs from both sides have become increasingly frequent, signalling strategic caution and mutual monitoring.

Political Context and Defence Signals

During a recent visit to the IAF base in Bhuj, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh issued a stern warning to Islamabad: “If Pakistan dares to act in the Sir Creek sector, the reply will be so strong that it will change both history and geography.”

The latest military movements and airspace restrictions underscore ongoing friction in India–Pakistan relations, where strategic signalling continues to shape the delicate regional security balance.