Pakistan Accuses Indian Warship Of ‘Dangerous Manoeuvres’ In Its EEZ Before Collision With Naval Vessel

India and Pakistan exchanged diplomatic protests on Wednesday, Sept. 16, after naval ships from the two countries came into contact in the Arabian Sea during a Pakistani naval exercise.

Pakistan said an Indian Navy ship entered its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and made dangerous manoeuvres near Pakistani naval vessels before hitting PNS Hunain on September 15.

However, India gave a different account. It said the incident happened in international waters and that the Pakistani ship’s manoeuvring caused the collision.

The incident is the first open military tension between the two nuclear-armed neighbours since their four-day conflict in May 2025.

Both countries have referred to the 1991 Agreement on Advance Notice on Military Exercises, Manoeuvres and Troop Movements in their protests.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office said the Pakistan Navy has been carrying out its biennial SEASPARK-26 exercise in its EEZ since September 1.

It said Indian Navy ship INS Kolkata and a helicopter on the ship had tried several times since September 7 to enter the area where the Pakistani exercise was taking place.

Pakistan said INS Kolkata made “dangerous and provocative manoeuvres” close to its naval ships despite several warnings.

On September 15, Pakistan said, INS Kolkata suddenly changed course and came into contact with PNS Hunain.

The Pakistani Foreign Office said PNS Hunain tried to move away, but the two ships still scraped or collided. It said INS Kolkata then increased speed and left the area.

Pakistan called the incident “highly provocative and unacceptable”. It said the incident could have led to a serious crisis.

The Foreign Office said the incident was a serious violation of international law and the 1991 agreement. It also said it could increase tensions between the two countries.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned India’s Charge d’Affaires in Islamabad and lodged a strong protest.

Pakistan asked the Indian diplomat to convey to New Delhi that it rejected what it called a “belligerent” action. It also called on India to follow international law and its bilateral agreements.

Pakistan said both countries should follow arrangements meant to prevent incidents at sea.

The Pakistani Charge d’Affaires in New Delhi will also lodge a protest with India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the Foreign Office said.

Pakistan also called on the international community to urge India to avoid actions that Islamabad says could further destabilise South Asia.

The Foreign Office said the region could not afford to remain “perpetually hostage” to what it called India’s “reckless pursuit of conflict and instability”.

India also lodged a protest with Pakistan over the incident.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs summoned Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires in New Delhi and protested what it called the “unacceptable and unprofessional conduct” of Pakistani naval units.

It said the incident happened in international waters and did not cause any major damage.

According to India, a Pakistani naval ship approached an Indian Navy vessel that was on a routine surveillance mission. India said the Pakistani ship’s manoeuvring caused the collision.

New Delhi also referred to the 1991 agreement. It said the actions of the Pakistani naval vessel were directly against Article 10 of the agreement.

India asked its Charge d’Affaires to tell Pakistani authorities that military units should exercise due care and follow the bilateral agreement to prevent similar incidents.

India’s Charge d’Affaires in Islamabad was also told to lodge a similar protest with Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry.

The two countries have different accounts of what happened.

India-Pakistan Conflict 2025

India and Pakistan fought a four-day military conflict in May 2025.

India launched strikes on several Pakistani cities on May 6 and 7, 2025, after a terrorist attack in the Pahalgam area of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistan responded with Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, targeting several Indian military installations.

During the fighting, Pakistan said it shot down eight Indian fighter aircraft, including three Rafale jets, as well as dozens of drones.

The fighting lasted nearly 87 hours. The two countries agreed to a US-brokered ceasefire on May 10.

References: geo tv, nation pk