New Delhi: Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan following a brutal terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam—carried out by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)-backed militants—that left 28 civilians dead, Islamabad is now preparing to conduct a missile test in the Arabian Sea. In response, India has deployed aircraft carrier INS Vikrant to the region.
Pakistan has issued a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) for a ship-based missile test scheduled between April 24 and 25. The missile is expected to cover a range of approximately 480 kilometres. The warning zone lies between the coordinates 22.759426, 62.574141 and 23.006012, 66.850443—an area commonly associated with naval operations, located westward in the Arabian Sea.
INS Vikrant deployed in Arabian Sea
In a strategic move, India has activated the deployment of INS Vikrant in the Arabian Sea. Satellite imagery confirms that the aircraft carrier is currently patrolling near the Karwar coast in Karnataka.
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The deployment comes in the wake of mounting public outrage across India over the Pahalgam attack. On the diplomatic front, India has already downgraded its ties with Pakistan, and growing indications suggest that a substantial security response is being prepared.
Tensions at an all-time high
In a significant policy shift, India has also suspended the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 following a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday. According to a government statement, the treaty will remain suspended until Pakistan ceases its support for cross-border terrorism.
The suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty could severely impact Pakistan, which depends on the Indus River and its key tributaries—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab—for nearly 80% of its irrigated agriculture. This sector contributes around 21% to Pakistan’s GDP and employs approximately 45% of its workforce.
