What is India’s military exercise that has forced Pakistan to close most of its airspace?

India is set to conduct a major exercise on its western frontier with Pakistan – and Islamabad is not happy.

Pakistan has expanded a notice to air missions (NOTAM), covering the majority of its airspace as India’s exercise is set to commence in Rajasthan and Gujarat.

The development comes months after India conducted Operation Sindoor targeting terror hubs, airbases and radar sites in response to the Pahalgam terror attack in April.

But what do we know about the manoeuvres India has named ‘Trishul’? How has Pakistan responded?
Let’s take a closer look.

What do we know?

‘Trishul’ is a tri-combat service exercise.

This means it comprises all three branches of the Indian Armed Services – the Indian Army, the Indian Navy and the Indian
Air Force.

‘Trishul’ will be conducted for 10 days – from October 30 to November 10. It will take place in Sir Creek, near the Pakistan border in Gujarat’s Rann of Kutch region.

India has issued a notice to air missions (NOTAM) for large parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat.

Defence analyst Damien Symon also shared satellite images showing the airspace closed off for Trishul. Symon noted that it extended up to 28,000 feet and added that “the chosen area and scale of activity were unusual”.

The armed forces will likely undertake joint operations across varied and difficult terrains, including offensive manoeuvres in the creek and desert sectors. They will also conduct amphibious operations off the Saurashtra coast as well as multi-domain operational drills.

The Indian Army will deploy more than 20,000 soldiers as well as main battle tanks, howitzers, armed helicopters and missile systems. Drills like Trinetra’ with a focus on “full-cycle electromagnetic spectrum operations and counter-unmanned aerial system kill-chains” are already being c onducted by the 21 Sudarshan Chakra’ strike corps in the desert sector.

The IAF will conduct `Mahagujraj’ and deploy Rafales and Sukhoi-30MKIs, special aircraft, helicopters, remotely-piloted aircraft and force-enablers like IL-78 mid-air refuellers and airborne early-warning and control aircraft.

The Navy has also deployed some frigates and destroyers off the Gujarat coast. “Remember, the Jamnagar refinery in Gujarat
will be a target for Pakistan in any full-scale war,” the officer told the newspaper. “Different indigenous weapon systems and innovations will be fully tested during the Trishul exercise. In the non-kinetic domains, ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance), EW (electronic warfare) and cyber capabilities will also be a focus area.”

India had deployed Rafale and air defence systems like S-400, MRSAM, and Spyder during previous ‘Trishul’ exercises .
A senior officer told the Times of India that the wargames are ‘routine’ in nature. He said it is practice to hold one such massive tri-services war game every year. He, however, noted that the scale, complexity and area of the operations are indeed massive. “Multiple joint combat drills, both offensive and defensive in nature, will be executed during Trishul,” the officer said.

The exercise comes days after Rajnath warned Pakistan about a military build-up in the sensitive Sir Creek area. “Any aggression by Pakistan in the Sir Creek area will be met with a resounding response that will change both history and geography,” Singh said. The Defence Minister made the remarks on Dussehra while addressing troops at the IAF base in Bhuj, around 150 kilometres from the sensitive area.

Sir Creek is a 96-kilometre tidal estuary between Gujarat’s Rann of Kutch and Pakistan’s Sindh province. It is the source of a major bilateral dispute between the two countries.

The Defence Ministry has said that the exercise is aimed at demonstrating the joint operational capabilities, the atmanirbharta (self-reliance), and innovation of the Indian Armed Forces.

“Troops from Southern Command will actively participate to validate joint operations across diverse and challenging terrains, including offensive manoeuvres in the creek and desert sectors, amphibious operations off the Saurashtra coast, and joint multi-domain operational exercises,” the statement read.

How has Pakistan responded?

Islamabad has been in a panic.

It issued a notice to air missions (NOTAM) covering a larger part of its airspace, mostly along its central and southern routes.

“Pakistan has now issued a notification restricting multiple air traffic routes along its central & southern airspace, possibly for a military exercise/weapons test, as India prepares for its Tri-Services Exercise across the border,” Symon wrote on X.

It gave no reason for doing so. However, analysts suggest Pakistan could conduct its own exercises or even a weapons test.
Islamabad has also placed multiple commands and bases on high alert.

News18 reported that the Pakistani Air Force and Navy have been told to remain on standby in case of any ‘perceived aggression’. They have also been instructed to increase their patrols in the Arabian Sea. Sources told the outlet the Pakistani military is in a state of “panic” over potential contingency scenarios.

The Pakistani Navy Chief also visited the Sir Creek area over the weekend to inspect troops and check on readiness levels.

With inputs from agencies