A Pakistan Navy ship collided with an Indian Navy ship in international waters in the Arabian Sea. The exact date of the incident has not been disclosed. A similar collision between the two countries’ ships had previously occurred in 2011.
According to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, an Indian warship was on a routine surveillance mission when a Pakistani ship approached at high speed and swerved in the wrong direction, leading to the collision.
Citing sources, ANI reported that the Pakistani vessel is named PNS Hunain, which is used for maritime surveillance and patrols.
Information on which side suffered greater damage is not yet available, though it is believed PNS Hunain may have sustained more damage. However, the specific Indian Navy ship involved has not been identified.
Following the incident, India summoned the Chargé d’Affaires of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi and lodged a strong protest, calling the incident unacceptable and unprofessional.
According to ANI, an Indian Navy warship was on routine surveillance in the northern Arabian Sea when a Pakistan Navy vessel came close to the Indian ship at high speed.
The maneuver by the Pakistani ship is described as unsafe and unprofessional. The distance between the two vessels continued to close until they eventually collided.
There are no reports of major damage. However, the exact names of both ships and the precise location of the collision have not yet been made public.
This is not the first time such an incident at sea has occurred between the navies of India and Pakistan.
A similar collision took place in 2011 between India’s INS Godavari and Pakistan’s PNS Babar.
Regarding that 2011 incident, Pakistan alleged that the Indian ship obstructed its operations and operated dangerously. India rejected this allegation.
According to India, PNS Babar tried to pass INS Godavari from the starboard (right) side and collided with its helicopter deck area, damaging the helicopter safety net.
At that time, India had also registered a protest with Pakistan citing Article 10 of the 1991 bilateral agreement.
PNS Babar was escorting MV Suez, a ship rescued from Somali pirates. The Egyptian-owned vessel had been held hostage by Somali pirates.
The ship and its 22 crew members were later released after a ransom of over $2 million was paid.
The Ministry of External Affairs has asked the Pakistani Chargé d’Affaires to convey India’s objection to the relevant authorities in Pakistan.
India stated that all military vessels at sea must operate with caution and adhere to bilateral agreements between the two nations.
India also stated that necessary steps must be taken to prevent such incidents from recurring.
Meanwhile, the Indian Chargé d’Affaires in Islamabad has also been instructed to register India’s protest with Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
