The Pakistan Navy detected and closely tracked an Indian P-8I maritime reconnaissance aircraft as it approached the country’s maritime boundary during the night of May 4–5, according to official sources.
The aircraft’s movements were monitored throughout its entire flight path, showcasing the Navy’s high state of alert and technological readiness.
Officials emphasized that the prompt detection highlights Pakistan Navy’s advanced surveillance systems and unwavering commitment to defending the nation’s maritime interests.
“The Pakistan Navy is fully prepared to respond decisively to any hostile activity,” a source stated, reaffirming the force’s round-the-clock operational readiness.
The Indian P-8I aircraft, designed for long-range maritime patrol and anti-submarine missions, has previously been spotted near strategic locations in the Arabian Sea, especially during periods of heightened regional tension.
This latest development comes amid escalating hostilities between India and Pakistan following the April 22, 2025, attack in Pahalgam, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), where 26 people were killed. India blamed Pakistani actors without providing evidence—an accusation Islamabad strongly denied.
In the days following the attack, India’s Cabinet Committee on Security took several retaliatory actions, including closing the Wagah-Attari border crossing, suspending multiple visa categories for Pakistanis, issuing a travel advisory, and formally suspending the Indus Waters Treaty.
Pakistan responded on April 24 through its National Security Committee, warning that any Indian move to restrict Pakistan’s water supply would be considered an act of war. The same meeting also approved the closure of the Wagah border.
On April 25, the Pakistan Senate unanimously rejected India’s accusations as unfounded and politically driven.
Tensions further escalated when, on April 26, pro-India demonstrators vandalised the Pakistani High Commission in London. Protesters broke windows and defaced the building with saffron paint. Islamabad blamed the Indian state and intelligence agencies for inciting the violence. UK authorities later arrested two individuals in connection with the incident.
