Archive · 17 Sep 2026
India, Pakistan Trade Claims After PNS Hunain Collision
A Pakistani navy ship called PNS Hunain collided with an Indian navy warship.
The crash happened on the evening of September 15, 2026, in the North Arabian Sea.
India said PNS Hunain was moving too quickly and made unsafe turns.
Pakistan said the Indian ship came dangerously close and acted aggressively.
The two countries therefore gave different explanations for who caused the collision.
PNS Hunain reportedly suffered a large dent and possibly a crack, so it went back to harbour.
The Indian ship reportedly had no major damage and continued its mission.
Both countries summoned diplomats and protested the other side’s actions.
PNS Hunain collided with an Indian Navy warship on September 15, 2026, in the North Arabian Sea.
India said the Pakistani vessel approached at high speed and manoeuvred unsafely during the encounter.
Pakistan accused the Indian vessel of making aggressive manoeuvres dangerously close to PNS Hunain during Seaspark-26.
PNS Hunain reportedly suffered severe damage and returned to harbour, while the Indian warship continued its deployment.
India and Pakistan summoned each other’s diplomatic representatives and lodged competing protests over the incident.
- Who
- Pakistan Navy vessel PNS Hunain and an Indian Navy frontline warship, reportedly identified by Pakistani media as INS Kolkata.
- What
- The two naval vessels collided or grazed each other, reportedly damaging PNS Hunain but causing no major damage to the Indian vessel.
- When
- The evening of September 15, 2026; diplomatic protests were lodged on September 16.
- Where
- The North Arabian Sea, approximately 220 kilometres east of Oman’s coast, near Pakistan’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
- Why
- India attributed the incident to PNS Hunain’s high-speed, unsafe manoeuvres, while Pakistan blamed aggressive manoeuvres by the Indian vessel during the Seaspark-26 exercise.
India’s account
Pakistan’s account
Cause of the collision
India’s account
India said PNS Hunain approached at high speed, shadowed or attempted to intercept the Indian vessel, ignored warnings and made an unsafe crossing that caused contact.
Pakistan’s account
Pakistan said the Indian Navy vessel carried out aggressive manoeuvres in dangerously close proximity to PNS Hunain, resulting in contact.
Location and maritime conduct
India’s account
Indian sources described the area as international waters and said it was a legitimate route for military and commercial vessels, not a designated no-go zone.
Pakistan’s account
Pakistan described the incident as occurring in its Exclusive Economic Zone and called the Indian vessel’s conduct provocative and unacceptable.
Legal and diplomatic responsibility
India’s account
India said the Pakistani vessel’s conduct contravened Article 10 of the April 1991 military-movements agreement and urged greater care by Pakistan’s military units.
Pakistan’s account
Pakistan rejected India’s characterization, lodged its own protest and said the Indian vessel’s actions risked worsening regional tensions.
- Pakistani vessel
- PNS Hunain (F-273), described in reports as a Yarmook-class offshore patrol vessel or corvette.
- Incident date
- September 15, 2026.
- Location
- North Arabian Sea, about 220 kilometres east of Oman’s coast.
- Reported damage
- PNS Hunain reportedly suffered severe damage, including a large dent and possible crack, and returned to harbour; the Indian ship reportedly sustained no major damage.
- Indian account
- India said PNS Hunain approached at high speed, ignored warnings and made an unsafe close-range manoeuvre.
- Pakistani account
- Pakistan said the Indian vessel made aggressive manoeuvres dangerously close to PNS Hunain during the Seaspark-26 exercise.
- Diplomatic response
- India summoned Pakistan’s Chargé d’Affaires and protested; Pakistan later summoned India’s Chargé d’Affaires and lodged a counter-protest.
- Vessel specifications
- Reports say PNS Hunain was built by Damen in Galați, Romania, commissioned in July 2024, and is approximately 98 metres long with a displacement of around 2,600 tonnes.
Sources
High-speed manoeuvre, collision, damaged ship: What happened between PNS Hunain & Indian destroyer
PNS Hunain: All About Pakistani Naval Vessel That Collided With Indian Warship In Arabian Sea
PNS Hunain-Indian Navy ship collision: Was Pakistan Navy vessel shadowing the Indian destroyer it collided with?
Pak naval vessel PNS Hunain sustains damage after collision with Indian warship, heads to own harbour
PNS Hunain: All you need to know about Pakistani vessel that hit Indian Navy warship
