India’s Military Move In Sir Creek Sparks Panic In Pakistan

News in Short (60 words)

Tensions have risen as India reportedly deployed troops near the Sir Creek region, alarming Pakistan. Islamabad has placed its navy on alert and urged restraint, calling India’s move “provocative.” New Delhi says the deployment is a defensive measure to curb smuggling and infiltration. The disputed area holds strategic and oil-rich importance in the Arabian Sea.

News in Detail

Tensions between India and Pakistan have flared once again after reports emerged that India has increased its military presence near Sir Creek, a disputed coastal strip along the Arabian Sea. The move has reportedly triggered concern in Pakistan, which has called for “restraint and dialogue” to prevent further escalation.

What Is Happening at Sir Creek?

According to security officials and local sources, India has deployed additional border troops and surveillance units in the Kutch region of Gujarat, adjacent to the Sir Creek marshlands. The Indian Coast Guard and Navy have also been placed on alert following recent intelligence inputs suggesting unusual Pakistani patrol activity near the area.

Sir Creek, a 96-kilometer-long estuary that divides India’s Gujarat state and Pakistan’s Sindh province, has been a long-standing territorial dispute between the two nations since independence. The disagreement centers on the exact demarcation of the maritime boundary, which affects control over potential oil and gas reserves in the Arabian Sea.

Pakistan Reacts Strongly

In Islamabad, the Foreign Office issued a late-night statement saying it was “deeply concerned” by India’s “provocative and unilateral” military movements near Sir Creek. Pakistan accused India of “disturbing the fragile peace” in the region and warned that such steps could “undermine regional stability.”

Pakistani media reported that the Pakistan Navy and Maritime Security Agency have been put on high alert. Troops along the Sindh coast have reportedly been moved closer to forward observation posts. Local fishermen in Pakistan’s Badin and Thatta districts were advised to stay away from the disputed waters.

“We are monitoring the situation closely,” a senior Pakistani defense source told Dawn News. “Any misadventure by India will be met with a firm response.”

India Says Move Is Defensive

Indian defense officials, however, have rejected Pakistan’s accusations, calling the deployment a “routine security operation.” According to the Indian Ministry of Defence, the move is part of a border reinforcement exercise to secure India’s western coastline and prevent illegal crossings or smuggling attempts.

“Sir Creek has often been used by drug traffickers and infiltrators,” an Indian Navy spokesperson said. “Our deployment is strictly aimed at enhancing coastal surveillance and national security. There is no aggressive intent.”

Sources in New Delhi added that recent satellite and intelligence reports indicated “suspicious boat movements” along the border, prompting the precautionary measures.

Strategic Importance of Sir Creek

Sir Creek is not just a small water channel — it holds significant strategic and economic importance. The region is believed to be rich in oil and natural gas deposits, and the resolution of the boundary dispute could determine the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) limits for both nations in the Arabian Sea.

Control over Sir Creek also impacts fishermen’s rights, as both Indian and Pakistani boats frequently drift across the undefined maritime border, leading to regular arrests and diplomatic tensions.

The area has also been flagged as a potential infiltration route for terror groups due to its complex marshy terrain and limited surveillance infrastructure.

Analysts Warn of Escalation

Security analysts in both countries have expressed concern that the latest military movements could increase the risk of misunderstanding or skirmishes.

“Even a minor clash here could spiral quickly, given the high mistrust between the two sides,” said Lt. Gen. (Retd) Rakesh Sharma, a former Indian Army officer. “Both militaries need to communicate through established channels to prevent miscalculation.”

In Pakistan, defense experts described India’s move as part of a broader regional strategy to assert dominance ahead of upcoming bilateral discussions on border security.

“This deployment sends a political message,” said Dr. Ayesha Siddiqa, a defense analyst based in Islamabad. “It reminds Pakistan that India is willing to project strength along every disputed frontier, from Kashmir to the Arabian coast.”

Calls for Calm and Dialogue

The United Nations and regional observers have urged restraint from both countries. The UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP), which monitors ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC), has reportedly sought updates from both governments on troop movements in the coastal sector.

Diplomatic sources indicate that backchannel talks between Indian and Pakistani officials could take place in Oman later this month to reduce tensions.

For now, both sides remain on alert, and the situation around Sir Creek continues to be tense but stable.

As one Indian official summed up: “We don’t want confrontation — but we will not lower our guard.”

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