The allegation follows the arrest of a local fisherman allegedly recruited by India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) for espionage in the Arabian Sea. Islamabad has portrayed the incident as proof of Indian preparations for a staged attack aimed at blaming Pakistan, echoing similar accusations made since the 2019 Pulwama crisis.

DG ISPR Issues Multi-Domain Warning

During a joint briefing in Rawalpindi, the DG ISPR declared Pakistan’s “full-spectrum deterrence” posture across land, sea, and air.

“Any Indian misadventure,” he said, “will invite a more severe response than ever.”

The press conference included representatives from the Pakistan Navy and Air Force, underscoring inter-service coordination amid heightened alert levels.

“Operation Sindoor-2” and the Arrest

Officials said the plot—dubbed Operation Sindoor-2—involved a Thatta-based fisherman, Ejaz Mallah, allegedly recruited by an Indian handler named Ashok Kumar.

Mallah reportedly obtained Pakistani military uniforms, old currency, cigarettes, and SIM cards to fabricate evidence of Pakistani involvement in a staged maritime incident.

Arrested in late October 2025, he allegedly confessed under interrogation, providing recordings of his communications.

Timing, Location, and Naval Readiness

The purported operation coincided with Indian naval drills in the Arabian Sea and visits by senior defense officials to the Gujarat coast.

Pakistan has since raised naval readiness, deploying patrols near Sir Creek and increasing drone surveillance. Vice Admiral Rab Nawaz confirmed “constant monitoring” of Indian movements in adjacent waters.

Diplomatic and Economic Fallout

Pakistan has briefed China, Türkiye, and Saudi Arabia and lodged a formal complaint with the United Nations, calling for monitoring of Indian maritime activity.

Indian outlets including The Times of India dismissed the allegations as “Pakistani propaganda,” linking them to domestic political pressures in Islamabad.

Regional markets reflected the tension, with the Pakistani rupee falling 0.5% against the U.S. dollar, though no military escalation has yet been observed.

Competing Narratives Across the Border

Pakistani media such as Dawn and ARY News described the arrest as an “intelligence victory,” while Indian publications The Hindu and Indian Express labeled it disinformation aimed at deflecting attention from cross-border militancy.