NORTH ARABIAN SEA — A Pakistan Navy vessel, identified as PNS Hunain (F-273), was involved in a collision with an Indian Navy frontline warship in the North Arabian Sea, according to Indian government sources and multiple reports.
The incident took place in international waters, with the Indian warship carrying out a routine surveillance mission. Indian sources said PNS Hunain approached the Indian vessel at high speed and manoeuvred in an unsafe manner, resulting in the collision.
According to reports, the Indian Navy warship remained operational and continued its mission, while PNS Hunain sustained damage and subsequently returned to harbour. The exact extent of the damage has not been officially detailed publicly.
Images and video of the incident and the vessels after the collision also show more visible damage on PNS Hunain than on the Indian warship. While this alone does not establish the cause of the difference in damage, the condition of the two vessels after the collision provides a visible comparison of their respective damage levels.
PNS Hunain, pennant number F-273, is a Yarmook-class vessel operated by the Pakistan Navy. The identity of the Indian warship involved in the collision has not been publicly disclosed by Indian authorities.
India Raises Objection Over Naval Conduct
India described the conduct of the Pakistani naval unit as “unacceptable and unprofessional” and summoned Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires in New Delhi to lodge a formal protest. India also directed its Charge d’Affaires in Islamabad to raise the matter with Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
India said the Pakistani vessel’s conduct was in direct contravention of Article 10 of the 1991 India-Pakistan Agreement on Advance Notice on Military Exercises, Manoeuvres and Troop Movements.
Article 10 states that naval ships and submarines belonging to the two countries should not approach within three nautical miles of each other while operating in international waters, with the provision intended to prevent accidents.
The incident therefore involved both a physical collision between the two naval vessels and a diplomatic issue concerning the existing bilateral rules for naval operations.
Indian sources also said the Indian warship’s crew exercised restraint during the encounter and took measures to prevent the situation from developing into a more serious accident.
The collision caused no reported major damage or casualties on the Indian side, while PNS Hunain returned to harbour after sustaining damage. Further official details concerning the circumstances and damage assessment have not been released.
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