India Issues Navigation Alert To Ships Amid Naval Drills In Arabian Sea

India’s maritime authorities have issued a navigation alert for commercial ships operating in the Arabian Sea, urging them to remain cautious due to the Indian Navy’s ongoing exercises in the region.

The warning comes amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan after the deadly April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people, mostly tourists.

According to individuals aware of the situation, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi is understood to have met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday evening to provide an update on the situation in the maritime domain.

There has been no official confirmation of this meeting yet, but sources said the discussion focused on the Indian Navy’s operations and readiness.

The navigation advisory, issued by the National Hydrographic Office under the Indian Navy, advises commercial vessels to avoid certain areas in the Arabian Sea for safety reasons during the ongoing military drills.

Meanwhile, Pakistan has also increased its naval activity in the same waters. The Pakistan Navy has been conducting intense exercises, including live firing operations, in the Arabian Sea over the past few days. Pakistani authorities have issued their own naval alerts as a precaution.

Both navies are on high alert as India considers retaliatory steps in response to what officials have described as cross-border involvement in the Pahalgam terror attack.

Government sources said Prime Minister Modi recently held a high-level meeting with senior defence officials where he stated that the armed forces have full operational freedom to decide the mode, targets, and timing of any response. He also added that the nation is united in its resolve to deal a strong blow to terrorism.

Following the attack, India announced several strong measures against Pakistan on April 23. These include suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, shutting down the only active land border at Attari in Punjab, and reducing diplomatic ties.

In response, Pakistan has taken countermeasures by closing its airspace to Indian aircraft and suspending all trade with India, including indirect trade through third countries.

Pakistan has also rejected India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and has warned that any attempt to block water flow would be seen as an “act of war.”

References: PTI