Sir Creek to Karachi: ‘Exercise Trishul’ begins today, first major tri-service wargame since Operation Sindoor

The exercise will see the armed forces execute coordinated operations across a variety of challenging terrains. ( Representative Image)

In a first coordinated display of India's defence  prowess since the successful conclusion of Operation Sindoor,  New Delhi has launched a major tri-services exercise, named ‘Exercise Trishul,’ along its western sector, involving the Indian Army, Indian Air Force (IAF), and Indian Navy. The exercise will run from October 30 to November 10, with a NOTAM issued to alert civil aviation of the drills.

Defence officials, speaking to various media outlets said that this is the first major tri-service wargame since ‘Operation Sindoor’ and is aimed at testing and validating lessons learned from that operation.

The exercise will see the armed forces execute coordinated operations across a variety of challenging terrains, including offensive manoeuvres in creek and desert regions, amphibious landings off the Saurashtra coast, and joint multi-domain drills.

The Indian Air Force will deploy a fleet of frontline fighters and support aircraft, including Rafales, Su-30MKIs, RPAs, UAVs IL-78 refuellers, and Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) platforms. Meanwhile, the Indian Navy will field its frontline warships and other assets to simulate realistic maritime combat scenarios.

The Indian Army has mobilised around 25,000 troops, supported by main battle tanks, artillery, armed helicopters, and a variety of missile systems. Several indigenous weapons and platforms will also be tested under live operational conditions during the exercise.

Officials said that the exercise will be crucial in testing coordination and synergy between the three forces, ensuring they can operate effectively together in high-intensity conflict situations. It will also provide an opportunity to evaluate operational readiness, refine strategies, and improve integration of modern platforms across land, sea, and air domains.

Earlier, CNN-News18 had reported that the Indian tri-services exercise along the western frontier has reportedly set alarm bells ringing in Pakistan, with Islamabad said to have put multiple commands and bases on high alert.

India issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) for combined Army-Navy-Air Force manoeuvres reportedly running from October 30 to November 10, focused along the Sir Creek-Sindh-Karachi axis—an area Pakistani sources describe as the “deep south” of Pakistan. Sources told CNN-News18 that the exercise’s geographic emphasis and timing have prompted Islamabad to heighten vigilance across southern commands, where the military is allegedly “in panic” over potential contingency scenarios.