World · India Bureau
Pakistani warship involved in incident with Indian destroyer in Arabian Sea
Pakistan's PNS Hunain and an Indian Kolkata-class destroyer were involved in a maritime encounter in the northern Arabian Sea on September 15, with New Delhi lodging a formal protest over the incident.
LSN India ·

The Pakistani naval vessel PNS Hunain came into close contact with the Indian destroyer during an evening incident in the northern Arabian Sea, according to reports of the September 15 encounter. Pakistan's Navy was conducting exercises in the region at the time, while the Indian warship was engaged in routine patrol operations.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs registered an official protest following the incident, characterizing it as an unsafe and unprofessional maneuver. The encounter highlighted the operational presence of both nations' navies in shared waters and their differing assessment of maritime conduct standards.
Military analysts point to a significant capability gap between the two vessels involved. The Indian Kolkata-class destroyer, an indigenously-designed guided-missile warship, substantially outweighs and exceeds the Pakistani frigate in firepower, sensor systems, and overall displacement. The disparity in specifications underscores India's naval modernization efforts over the past two decades.
The incident reflects ongoing maritime sensitivities between the two South Asian neighbors. Both nations maintain active naval operations in the Arabian Sea and surrounding waters, occasionally resulting in close-quarters encounters that test established protocols for safe passage and communication.