PNS Hunain and Indian Navy Encounter: Breakdown of the Arabian Sea Collision

The September 2026 Naval Collision

On September 15, 2026, a maritime incident occurred in the North Arabian Sea involving the Indian Navy warship INS Kolkata and the Pakistan Navy vessel PNS Hunain. According to reports from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the encounter took place while the Indian vessel was conducting routine surveillance in international waters [2].

India alleges that the PNS Hunain, a Yarmook-class patrol vessel, performed an unprofessional and risky overtaking move that led to the collision. While the INS Kolkata remained operational without major damage, the PNS Hunain reportedly sustained damage and was forced to return to port [1].

Why This is a Diplomatic Crisis: The 1991 Agreement

This event is more than a navigational error; it is a breach of specific diplomatic protocols. The Indian government has cited a violation of Article 10 of the 1991 bilateral agreement on military exercises and troop movements [3]. This specific rule is designed to prevent accidental escalations by requiring naval ships to maintain a minimum distance of three nautical miles from one another.

Beyond the bilateral pact, India claims the Pakistani vessel ignored the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), which provide the global standard for safe ship navigation. In response, India summoned the Pakistani Charge d’Affaires, Saad Warraich, to lodge a formal protest [2].

Conflicting Territorial Claims

The two nations disagree fundamentally on where the incident happened, which changes the legal implications of the encounter:

• India's Position: The collision occurred in international waters during a routine deployment [1].
• Pakistan's Position: Islamabad claims the event happened within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) during the SEASPARK-26 naval exercise, calling India's presence provocative [3].

Vessel Comparison

Feature	INS Kolkata	PNS Hunain
Role	Frontline Warship	Offshore Patrol Vessel
Size	Larger Destroyer	98m length / 2,600 tonnes
Outcome	Remained at sea	Returned to port