ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani navy detected an Indian submarine off the Pakistani coast and prevented it from entering its waters, the army said in a statement on Thursday.

This is the fourth time Pakistan has said it had foiled an attempt by an Indian vessel to enter its waters.

“Indian Navy deployed its submarine against Pakistan with ulterior motives,” ISPR, the Pakistan army’s media wing, said. “However, yet again through continuous vigilance and professionalism Pakistan Navy has foiled Indian Submarine’s attempt of entering into Pakistani waters.”

The statement said Pakistan had anticipated the possibility of an Indian unit trying to enter Pakistan waters for reconnaissance and information gathering “during prevailing security environment and ongoing Pakistan Navy Exercise SEASPARK-22.”

“Therefore, strict monitoring watch and stringent vigilance procedures were enforced. Resultantly, Pakistan Navy Anti-submarine warfare unit took the lead and prematurely intercepted and tracked the latest Indian submarine Kalvari on 01 March 2022,” ISPR said.

India and Pakistan have fought three wars since the two gained independence from the British in 1947 and have shared a fractious relationship over the disputed Kashmir region. 

In February 2019, tensions rose dramatically as they sent combat planes into each other’s territory. In August that year, New Delhi revoked the special status for the portion of Kashmir that it controls, scrapping a constitutional provision that allows the state of Jammu and Kashmir to make its own laws.