‘Panic & Precaution’: Pakistan Issues Second NOTAM Amid India’s Mega ‘Trishul 2025’ Exercise

The strategic landscape of South Asia has been marked by heightened military posturing as India commenced its large-scale, tri-service military exercise, ‘Trishul 2025,’ along its western frontier. In a clear sign of heightened vigilance and concern, Pakistan’s aviation authorities have responded by issuing a second Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), restricting large swathes of its national airspace just before and during the period of the Indian drills.

This latest move by Islamabad—expanding its initial NOTAM with a second round of flight restrictions—has been interpreted by defense analysts as a blend of ‘panic and precaution’ in the face of what is being described as an unusually scaled and strategically located Indian military mobilization.

India’s ‘Trishul 2025’: A Massive Tri-Service Display

The Indian military’s ‘Exercise Trishul’ is a massive, multi-domain combat drill involving the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, scheduled to run from October 30 to November 10, 2025. The exercise is centered around the crucial Western border states of Gujarat and Rajasthan, with a specific focus on the strategically vital Sir Creek region—a long-standing point of contention between the two nations.

• Joint Operations: The drill’s core aim is to enhance ‘jointness’ and operational synergy among the three services, validating integrated combat readiness across land, sea, air, and cyber domains.
• Unusual Scale: Open-source intelligence (OSINT) analysts noted that the NOTAM issued by India covers a vast stretch of airspace, extending up to an altitude of 28,000 feet, which is considered highly unusual for a routine training exercise.
• Strategic Signal: The timing and geography of the exercise, particularly its concentration near the Sir Creek–Sindh–Karachi axis, have been viewed as a strong strategic signal, reinforcing New Delhi’s deterrent posture. This follows a recent stern warning from India’s Defence Minister against any potential “misadventure” by Pakistan in the sensitive creek sector.
• Indigenous Focus: Furthermore, ‘Trishul’ is designed to showcase India’s progress in ‘Atmanirbharta’ (self-reliance) in defence, with a heavy deployment and testing of indigenous weapon systems, electronic warfare platforms, and advanced unmanned assets.

Pakistan’s Airspace Restriction: Precautionary or Jittery?

Pakistan’s response to the Indian exercise has been swift and multi-layered. Following India’s initial NOTAM announcement, Pakistan issued its own series of restrictions. The second, extended NOTAM further restricts air traffic routes, particularly over its central and southern airspace regions.

• Immediate Impact: The repeated airspace closures indicate a high level of operational alert within the Pakistani military, suggesting either preparation for its own simultaneous military drills or, more likely, a precautionary measure to mitigate risks from the large-scale Indian manoeuvres just across the border.
• Echoes of Past Tensions: This ‘shadow boxing’ with reciprocal airspace closures is reminiscent of the heightened posturing and frequent NOTAMs exchanged in the aftermath of the military standoff earlier in the year, underscoring the deep distrust and sensitivity along the border.
• Civil Aviation Disruption: While essential for military safety, the extended NOTAMs severely impact civil aviation, necessitating longer and more costly detours for international flights traversing the region.

The reciprocal airspace restrictions and the sheer scale of ‘Trishul 2025’ have significantly raised the temperature in the region. While both countries frame their respective actions as routine military preparedness, the close temporal and spatial proximity of the activities near a volatile border creates a high-stakes scenario where miscalculation remains a persistent risk.