India issues NOTAM across northeast for major IAF drills, launches 'Exercise Trishul' near Pakistan border

New Delhi: India has declared a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) across its entire northeastern region bordering China, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Bangladesh, paving the way for large-scale Indian Air Force (IAF) exercises. The move underscores a heightened focus on operational preparedness in one of the country’s most strategically sensitive zones.

According to official sources, the NOTAMs will remain in effect on multiple dates over the coming months, November 6, November 20, December 4 and December 18, followed by two more rounds on January 1 and January 15. These windows will be used by the IAF to carry out intensive air combat training, coordinated sorties, and logistical drills at forward bases spread across the northeastern theatre.

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The region’s geography, sharing borders with four nations including China, makes it crucial to India’s defence posture. Officials said the upcoming air exercises aim to boost operational coordination, improve combat readiness, and enhance India’s air dominance in the area.

A NOTAM is a formal alert that temporarily closes a section of airspace to civilian air traffic, allowing the military to conduct operations safely. Such notices have been used during previous border tensions with Pakistan to prevent civilian flights from entering conflict-prone airspace. The measure safeguards passenger aircraft and enables unrestricted movement of military jets, drones, and missiles during active drills.

Meanwhile, India on Thursday commenced 'Exercise Trishul', a 12-day tri-service military drill along the Pakistan border, the first major joint operation since 'Operation Sindoor' six months ago. The exercise involves the Army, Navy, and Air Force, bringing together special forces, missile units, battle tanks, warships and frontline fighter aircraft such as Rafales and Sukhoi Su-30s.

The war games, being conducted across Gujarat and Rajasthan, are designed to simulate offensive strike missions targeting southern Pakistan. Officials said that the Kutch region will serve as the main focus area, given its emerging strategic importance along the western frontier. The exercise seeks to test joint force coordination and overall combat preparedness in a post-Operation Sindoor environment.