An Indian Navy frontline warship and Pakistan Navy’s PNS Hunain were involved in a collision in international waters in the North Arabian Sea on September 15. India summoned Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires on September 16 and lodged a strong protest, citing what it described as unacceptable and unprofessional conduct and a contravention of Article 10 of the 1991 India-Pakistan agreement.
- Indian and Pakistani Naval Vessels Collide
- PNS Hunain Sustains Damage
- India Summons Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires
- What Article 10 of the 1991 Agreement Says
- Details of the Naval Encounter
- A Similar India-Pakistan Naval Incident in 2011
- India Seeks Compliance With Naval Safety Provisions
- Diplomatic Protest Follows Maritime Collision
- Humanity Beyond Conflict and Division
- FAQs on India-Pakistan Naval Collision in Arabian Sea
Indian and Pakistani Naval Vessels Collide
The incident took place on the evening of September 15 in the North Arabian Sea, about 120 nautical miles from the Gulf of Oman, according to sources cited by Indian media. Other reports placed the incident approximately 220 kilometres east of Oman.
The Indian Navy warship was on a routine surveillance mission when the Pakistani naval vessel approached it at high speed. Sources said the Pakistani vessel manoeuvred in an unprofessional and unsafe manner, resulting in a minor collision. The vessels subsequently moved away from each other. The Pakistani vessel was identified as PNS Hunain, an Offshore Patrol Vessel of the Pakistan Navy. The Indian warship involved has not been publicly identified in the reports examined.
According to ThePrint, sources in the Indian defence and security establishment said PNS Hunain approached the Indian Navy ship at high speed while operating in international waters, before a close-range manoeuvre resulted in the two vessels grazing each other.
PNS Hunain Sustains Damage
Reports differed initially on the extent of damage. The Ministry of External Affairs said the incident did not cause any major damage. Later reports citing official sources said PNS Hunain sustained damage and headed towards its home port, while the Indian warship continued its routine surveillance mission.
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The Indian Express reported that no damage was reported to the Indian warship and that it remained operational following the incident.
PNS Hunain is also identified in reporting as a Yarmook-class vessel. ThePrint reported that the vessel, designated F-273, was built by Damen Shipyards in Romania and commissioned in July 2024.
India Summons Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires
On September 16, India summoned Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires in New Delhi and lodged a strong protest over what the Ministry of External Affairs described as the “unacceptable and unprofessional conduct” of Pakistani naval units at sea.
The Ministry of External Affairs said the incident occurred in international waters and did not result in any major damage. However, the ministry stated that the Pakistani naval vessel’s conduct breached Article 10 of the April 1991 Agreement between India and Pakistan concerning advance notification of military exercises, manoeuvres and troop movements.
The Pakistani diplomat was advised to convey to the concerned Pakistani authorities the need for military units to exercise due care and respect the relevant bilateral agreements to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
India also instructed its Charge d’Affaires in Islamabad to lodge a similar protest with Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
What Article 10 of the 1991 Agreement Says
Article 10 of the 1991 agreement addresses the distance between naval vessels and submarines of the two countries while operating in international waters.
According to the provision cited in the report, naval ships and submarines belonging to either country are not to come closer than three nautical miles to each other in international waters, with the aim of avoiding accidents.
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India stated that the Pakistani naval vessel’s conduct was inconsistent with this requirement and emphasised the importance of military units following the agreed provisions and exercising appropriate caution.
Details of the Naval Encounter
Sources said the Pakistani vessel approached the Indian warship at high speed and was unable to manoeuvre safely and in time, resulting in the collision. NDTV reported that sources described the Pakistani ship as a Hunain-class corvette and said it came close to the Indian warship approximately 220 kilometres east of Oman. The report also said the seas were rough and that both vessels moved away following the incident.
The Indian Express reported that officials viewed the incident as a departure from established safety protocols and prescribed distances rather than a deliberate act of aggression. Some later reports carried additional claims about warnings and the manoeuvring of PNS Hunain. These were attributed to Indian findings or unnamed sources and therefore remain source-attributed details rather than independently established facts.
A Similar India-Pakistan Naval Incident in 2011
The latest collision has also been compared with a previous incident involving Indian and Pakistani naval vessels.
On June 16, 2011, Pakistan Navy’s PNS Babur and Indian Navy frigate INS Godavari were involved in a similar incident in the Gulf of Aden. Reports said PNS Babur brushed past INS Godavari, causing minor damage to the Indian warship’s helicopter safety net.
India had then said the approach was dangerously close and violated navigational regulations. A formal protest was lodged after the Pakistan High Commission’s naval adviser was summoned. The then Defence Minister, A K Antony, also made a statement in Parliament regarding the violation.
India Seeks Compliance With Naval Safety Provisions
The September 15 collision has prompted India to raise the matter through diplomatic channels. The MEA has stressed that military units should observe due care and comply with relevant agreements between India and Pakistan.
The immediate diplomatic action involved summoning Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires in New Delhi and directing India’s representative in Islamabad to lodge a similar protest. The incident occurred in international waters and, according to the MEA, did not result in any major damage.
Diplomatic Protest Follows Maritime Collision
The collision between PNS Hunain and an Indian Navy frontline warship has resulted in a formal diplomatic protest from New Delhi. India has linked its objection to the conduct of the Pakistani naval unit and Article 10 of the 1991 bilateral agreement concerning the operation of naval vessels in international waters. Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires was asked to convey India’s concerns to the relevant authorities, while India’s representative in Islamabad was instructed to raise the matter with Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry.
Humanity Beyond Conflict and Division
Tatvdarshi Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj explains that people living in the world often consider other people as enemies, while all human beings are children of the same Supreme God.
His message emphasizes living together with mutual respect and harmony. His slogan, “Jeev Hamari Jati Hai, Manav Dharm Hamara, Hindu Muslim Sikh Isai Dharm Nahi Koi Nyara,” conveys the message that humanity is one and that people should not be divided by religious identities.
For more information visit Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj YouTube Channel
FAQs on India-Pakistan Naval Collision in Arabian Sea
1. When did the India-Pakistan naval collision occur?
The collision occurred on the evening of September 15, 2026, in international waters in the North Arabian Sea.
2. Which Pakistani vessel was involved?
The Pakistani vessel was identified as PNS Hunain, an Offshore Patrol Vessel of the Pakistan Navy.
3. Where did the collision take place?
The incident occurred about 120 nautical miles from the Gulf of Oman, approximately 220 kilometres east of Oman.
4. Why did India summon Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires?
India lodged a strong protest over what it described as unacceptable and unprofessional conduct by Pakistani naval units.
5. What does Article 10 of the 1991 agreement say?
Article 10 requires Indian and Pakistani naval ships and submarines to maintain at least three nautical miles of separation in international waters.
