Archive · 17 Sep 2026
India, Pakistan Exchange Protests After Arabian Sea Warship Collision
An Indian Navy ship and a Pakistani Navy ship collided at sea.
The collision happened on September 15, 2026, in the North Arabian Sea.
India said the Pakistani ship came too close at high speed and moved unsafely.
Pakistan said the Indian ship made aggressive moves near its vessel.
Both countries said the other side had acted wrongly.
India called Pakistan’s diplomat in New Delhi to protest.
Pakistan also protested through diplomatic channels.
Reports differed about the damage, with India saying its ship was not badly damaged and one source saying the Pakistani ship was heavily damaged.
An Indian Navy warship and Pakistan Navy vessel PNS Hunain collided on the evening of September 15, 2026, in international waters in the North Arabian Sea.
India said PNS Hunain approached its warship at high speed and manoeuvred unsafely during the Indian vessel’s routine surveillance mission.
India summoned Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires Saad Ahmad Warraich and lodged a strong protest, citing Article 10 of the 1991 bilateral agreement.
Pakistan rejected India’s account, describing the Indian vessel’s manoeuvres as aggressive, highly provocative and unacceptable, and lodged its own protest.
India reported no major damage to its vessel, while one Indian source said PNS Hunain suffered heavy damage; other reports said no damage was reported.
- Who
- An Indian Navy warship and Pakistan Navy vessel PNS Hunain were involved; India summoned Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires Saad Ahmad Warraich.
- What
- The vessels collided, with India and Pakistan offering conflicting accounts of which ship acted improperly.
- When
- The collision occurred on the evening of September 15, 2026; diplomatic protests followed on September 16.
- Where
- The incident occurred in international waters in the North Arabian Sea, about 130 nautical miles from the Gulf of Oman.
- Why
- India said PNS Hunain’s conduct violated Article 10 of the 1991 bilateral agreement, while Pakistan said the Indian vessel’s actions violated international law and the same agreement.
Indian Account
Pakistani Account
Responsibility for the collision
Indian Account
India said PNS Hunain closed in on an Indian warship at high speed and manoeuvred in an unsafe and unprofessional manner, causing the collision.
Pakistani Account
Pakistan said an Indian Navy vessel carried out aggressive manoeuvres in dangerously close proximity to the Pakistani ship.
Rules allegedly violated
Indian Account
India said the Pakistani vessel’s conduct directly contravened Article 10 of the 1991 bilateral agreement and urged military units to exercise greater care.
Pakistani Account
Pakistan said the Indian action violated international law and the 1991 agreement and risked escalating regional tensions.
Extent of damage
Indian Account
India’s Ministry of External Affairs said the incident caused no major damage, and some reports said no damage was reported.
Pakistani Account
A report citing Indian sources said PNS Hunain suffered heavy damage, although Pakistan’s statement cited in the reports did not provide a damage assessment.
- Incident date
- Evening of September 15, 2026
- Location
- International waters in the North Arabian Sea, about 130 nautical miles from the Gulf of Oman
- Vessels
- An Indian Navy warship and Pakistan Navy vessel PNS Hunain
- India’s account
- PNS Hunain approached at high speed and manoeuvred in an unsafe and unprofessional manner during the Indian vessel’s routine surveillance mission.
- Pakistan’s account
- The Indian vessel carried out aggressive manoeuvres in dangerously close proximity and took highly provocative and unacceptable action.
- Damage reports
- India said there was no major damage to its vessel; one Indian source said PNS Hunain suffered heavy damage, while other reports said no damage was reported.
- Diplomatic response
- India summoned Saad Ahmad Warraich and ordered a matching protest in Islamabad; Pakistan said it also lodged a protest.
- Agreement cited
- Article 10 of the April 1991 Agreement between India and Pakistan on Advance Notice on Military Exercises, Manoeuvres and Troops Movements
Sources
Pakistan Navy ship collides with Indian warship in Arabian Sea; New Delhi summons Islamabad envoy
Pakistan lodges protest after Delhi summons Islamabad envoy over warship collision in Arabian Sea
India summons top Pakistan diplomat after Pak Navy ship collides with Indian warship at high seas
Pakistan Naval Ship Collides With Indian Warship After 'Unprofessional Manoeuvre'; Diplomat Summoned
Pak Ship Collides With Indian Navy Unit, Delhi Summons Islamabad's Envoy
India summons Pakistan CDA over collision between Pak Navy vessel and Indian warship in Arabian Sea