New Delhi: Pakistan’s Navy has issued a fresh Notice to Mariners (NOTMAR), setting off a wave of speculation across the region. The alert comes days after India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi warned Pakistan against any misadventure near Sir Creek. Analysts in Islamabad say the naval alert could be a sign that Pakistan is preparing for a larger operation in the Arabian Sea.

Political commentator Qamar Cheema told local media that the NOTMAR might relate to a “major naval exercise”, a routine move to warn ships of possible firing or missile testing. He said the timing is significant. “We often saw India issue such NOTAMs or NOTMARs when it planned air or sea exercises. Now Pakistan’s Navy has issued one, which means something big is happening in it

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