Pakistan Restricts Airspace Near India Ahead of Major Indian Military Drill “Trishul 2025”
ISLAMABAD — Pakistan has announced temporary airspace restrictions along its eastern border, just days before India launches a major tri-service military exercise near the frontier.
According to a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority, sections of airspace within the Karachi and Lahore flight regions will be closed from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. on October 28 and 29. Airlines and pilots have been advised to adjust flight paths and exercise caution during the restricted hours.
Aviation sources said the measure is a precautionary response to India’s upcoming “Trishul 2025” exercise, a large-scale joint operation involving the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The drill, set to take place between October 30 and November 10, will be conducted along India’s western border with Pakistan, primarily across Gujarat and Rajasthan.
Indian authorities have reportedly imposed similar airspace restrictions on their side to accommodate military flight operations and missile testing activities during the exercise.
The synchronized airspace management underscores the enduring sensitivity of the Indo-Pak border — one of the world’s most militarized frontiers — where even routine military movements are closely watched by both sides.
While temporary airspace closures are not uncommon during defense drills, the timing of Pakistan’s announcement highlights heightened alertness amid ongoing regional tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
Both Islamabad and New Delhi have so far refrained from issuing political statements on the matter, though diplomatic observers see the move as a signal of strategic caution rather than confrontation.
