New Delhi, September 16, 2026: A Pakistani naval vessel collided with an Indian Navy warship in international waters in the northern Arabian Sea on Tuesday, prompting India to lodge a strong diplomatic protest with Pakistan.
The incident occurred on September 15 while the Indian naval vessel was carrying out a routine surveillance mission. According to Indian sources, the Pakistani ship approached the Indian warship at high speed and was unable to manoeuvre safely, resulting in a minor collision. Reports identified the Pakistani vessel as PNS Hunain, a Yarmook-class offshore patrol vessel.
No major damage or casualties have been reported from the incident. The Indian vessel continued its mission, while reports indicated that the Pakistani ship sustained damage.
Following the incident, the Ministry of External Affairs summoned Pakistan’s Chargé d’Affaires in New Delhi and conveyed India’s strong objection to the conduct of the Pakistani naval unit. The Indian government described the conduct as “unacceptable and unprofessional” and referred to Article 10 of the 1991 India-Pakistan agreement concerning advance notice of military exercises, manoeuvres and troop movements.
India has also instructed its diplomatic representative in Islamabad to raise the matter with Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry. New Delhi has called for greater caution by military units and adherence to relevant bilateral agreements to prevent similar incidents in the future. Pakistan had not immediately issued a public response to the incident in the latest reports.
The latest episode has drawn attention because India and Pakistan faced a similar naval-related dispute about 15 years ago. In June 2011, Pakistan Navy ship PNS Babur and Indian Navy frigate INS Godavari were involved in a confrontation during a maritime operation. India subsequently lodged a formal protest, alleging that the Pakistani vessel had carried out unsafe manoeuvres. Pakistan disputed India’s account of the incident.
The two incidents are separated by more than a decade, but both involved naval vessels operating in international waters and subsequently led to diplomatic exchanges between the two countries.
