Asif Ali Zardari says India preparing for another war amid IAF drill notice

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Zardari claims India is preparing for another war following NOTAM for IAF drill
India reserves southern border airspace from March 5 to 12
Islamabad increases monitoring but calls for negotiations

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday said New Delhi is “preparing for another war,” citing a recent Indian airspace notice linked to a scheduled military exercise. The remark came during a joint sitting of Pakistan’s parliament after Islamabad reviewed a Notice to Airmen issued by India.

The statement adds fresh strain to already fragile India Pakistan relations.

NOTAM issued for Indian Air Force drill

India reportedly reserved airspace near the southern section of the border from March 5 to 12 for a scheduled Indian Air Force drill. Such notices are routinely issued ahead of military exercises to divert civilian aircraft from designated zones.

However, the timing has drawn scrutiny in Islamabad.

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Pakistan has responded by increasing surveillance and redeploying additional air and ground assets to monitor the drill area from March 5 onward.

Heightened vigilance amid regional instability

Islamabad is already engaged in border monitoring along Afghanistan and Iran, while also maintaining naval vigilance due to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.

The additional Indian exercise, especially near the Rajasthan sector, has prompted closer observation by Pakistan’s military establishment.

Military drills along this southern stretch of the border are not unusual, particularly during periods of elevated regional tension.

Zardari calls for negotiations despite warning

In a widely shared video clip, Zardari urged India to move away from confrontation and pursue dialogue.

“My message to them is to move away from the war theatre to meaningful negotiation tables, because that is the only path for regional security,” he said.

His remarks come less than a year after the four day military stand off in May 2025, when India launched Operation Sindoor targeting terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir following the April 22 Phalgam terror attack.

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What this means for regional stability

While NOTAM advisories for military drills are standard practice globally, the broader geopolitical environment has amplified concerns. With tensions in the Middle East already disrupting air traffic and military postures, even routine exercises are being interpreted through a strategic lens.

For now, there is no official indication of imminent hostilities. But the rhetoric and increased monitoring underline how quickly mistrust can escalate in South Asia’s most sensitive corridor.

Zardari’s “preparing for another war” remark reflects deep suspicion over India’s air force drill near the border. Whether this remains a routine military exercise or evolves into another diplomatic flashpoint will depend on communication channels in the coming days

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