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Pakistan is visibly worried. The country has just restricted several air routes across its central and southern regions and the timing is no coincidence. India is preparing for one of its biggest military exercises in recent years—the Trishul tri-services drill—right near the Pakistan border. The message is clear and Islamabad is watching nervously. Although Pakistan hasnt officially explained why it issued the Notam (Notice to Airmen) for October 28–29 military experts believe its directly linked to Indias massive show of strength. Some think Pakistan might be planning its own military drill or even a missile test in response. Either way the tension is palpable. India announced its Notam shortly before Pakistans move. The Trishul exercise is scheduled from October 30 to November 10 near Sir Creek a highly sensitive border area that both countries claim as their own. This is not a routine drill. According to satellite images studied by defence analyst Damien Symon the airspace marked for the exercise stretches up to 28000 feet (about 8.5 kilometres or 8500 metres high whwrw commwrcial flights fly at 3000 to 35000 feet) making it one of India’s biggest joint military operations in recent years as reported by India Today. This height shows that the exercise involves major air operations with fighter jets drones and missiles not just ground or sea drills.The sheer scale and location suggest this could involve large-scale combat simulations and advanced weapon testing. Why Sir Creek Matters To understand why this exercise is making Pakistan so anxious you need to know about Sir Creek. This is a 96-kilometer-long tidal estuary located in the marshy swampy borderlands of the Rann of Kutch. On one side is Indias Gujarat state and on the other is Pakistans Sindh province. The creek opens into the Arabian Sea creating a strategic waterway that both nations desperately want to control. The problem? India and Pakistan cant agree on where exactly the border should be drawn. India argues that the boundary should run along the mid-channel of the creek because the waterway is navigable during high tide. According to international rules when a waterway can carry boats the boundary typically falls in the middle. Pakistan however insists the border lies along the creeks eastern bank giving them complete control over the water. An old 1914 Bombay Government Resolution contains conflicting descriptions and both countries use different parts of it to support their claims. For India giving up Sir Creek would mean losing access to important sea routes offshore resources and a critical security zone. Thats why India insists the boundary must be decided through fresh surveys and negotiations not just old colonial-era maps. The terrain is marshy the creeks channels shift with tides and the geography keeps changing—so any boundary decision must reflect current realities. What Makes Trishul So Powerful The Defence Ministry has made it clear: Trishul is designed to showcase the combined might and perfect coordination of Indias Army Navy and Air Force. This isnt just about flexing military muscle. The exercise also highlights Indias growing policy of Atmanirbharta—self-reliance. India wants to prove that its armed forces can operate independently using homegrown technologies indigenous weapons and Indian strategies without relying on foreign equipment. Troops from the Southern Command will participate in these war games testing their ability to fight in some of the toughest terrains imaginable. The exercise will include offensive operations in creek and desert regions amphibious landings along the Saurashtra coast and multi-domain operations combining land sea and air power all at once. Think of it as a full-scale rehearsal for real war. During such exercises the three forces practice joint operations to improve teamwork and communication. Troops go through battlefield drills—practicing attacks defenses and rescue missions. New weapons missiles drones and defence systems are tested under realistic conditions. The Navy and Army practice amphibious operations simulating how they would land troops and vehicles from ships onto hostile beaches during a coastal battle. Meanwhile the Air Force provides air support conducts strikes and runs surveillance missions to help ground troops. Logistics teams test how quickly they can move soldiers fuel ammunition and equipment to the front lines. Emergency response drills include rescuing wounded soldiers repairing damaged systems and reacting to surprise enemy attacks. All of this helps Indias forces stay battle-ready identify weaknesses and fine-tune their coordination so they can respond swiftly and decisively to any national security threat. Pakistans Nervousness Has a Reason While military exercises are routine for any countrys armed forces Pakistans decision to issue its own Notam shows how seriously its taking Indias activities—especially after Operation Sindoor. That operation launched after the Pahalgam terror attack saw Indian armed forces destroy nine terrorist camps deep inside Pakistan and strike 11 of Pakistans military bases and airfields. It was a bold coordinated assault that sent shockwaves through Islamabad. Now with Trishul happening in the Sir Creek–Sindh–Karachi region Pakistan fears another surprise. Just days before the exercise was announced Defence Minister Rajnath Singh issued a stern warning while addressing troops at the Indian Air Force base in Bhuj on Dussehra. His message was unmistakable: If Pakistan dares to act in the Sir Creek sector the reply will be so strong that it will change both history and geography. Thats not just tough talk. Its a clear signal that India is fully prepared to protect its territorial claims and will respond with overwhelming force if challenged. For Pakistan which is already dealing with internal instability and economic troubles the prospect of a large-scale Indian military operation near its heartland is deeply unsettling. A New Era of Indian Military Power The Trishul exercise represents more than just military preparedness. Its a statement about Indias growing confidence and capability. By holding such a massive drill near a disputed border area India is showing that it wont back down from territorial disputes. By involving all three services and testing indigenous technologies India is proving it can stand on its own feet without depending on foreign allies for defence equipment. For Pakistan the message is loud and clear: India is ready capable and willing to defend its interests with full force. The restricted airspace the nervous Notam and the heightened alertness across the border all point to one thing—Pakistan knows India means business and its not taking any chances.
