ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has lodged a strong protest over what it described as an incursion by Indian Navy warship INS Kolkata into Pakistan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), accusing the vessel of carrying out provocative and irresponsible manoeuvres near Pakistan Navy ships.
The Foreign Office said the incident occurred during the Pakistan Navy’s Sea Spark-26 exercises, which have been underway in the country’s EEZ since Sept. 1.
Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan said Indian warships and helicopters had repeatedly attempted to enter the area of the naval exercises since the start of the month.
He said INS Kolkata carried out “dangerous and provocative manoeuvres” near Pakistan Navy vessels despite repeated warnings.
According to the spokesperson, the Indian vessel’s activities amounted to a “clear violation” of the 1991 bilateral agreement and did not constitute routine deployment.
The Foreign Office said that on Sept. 15, INS Kolkata
