Panic in Pakistan? Emergency Meeting Called as IAF Issues NOTAM for 17-day Combat Exercise

September 4, 2026

Jodhpur, Rajasthan: The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to conduct an extended air-combat exercise in western Rajasthan, with a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) reserving large stretches of airspace from September 21 to October 7.

The development has drawn attention in Pakistan, with reports suggesting heightened vigilance along the India-Pakistan border and an emergency meeting by Pakistani defence officials to review the Indian airspace notification.

Large airspace reserved for IAF drills

According to the NOTAM, airspace covering the Jaisalmer-Barmer-Phalodi-Jodhpur sector has been temporarily reserved for military activity between September 21 and October 7. Airspace near NAL-Bikaner has also been blocked for the exercise.

The reserved airspace extends up to around 40,000 feet, while one of the designated areas comes to within approximately 20 km of the international border with Pakistan, according to reports.

A NOTAM is an aviation safety notification issued to alert pilots, airlines and other aviation stakeholders about temporary restrictions, hazards or changes affecting airspace and flight operations. Such notices can be issued for military exercises and other activities requiring temporary airspace reservation.

Pakistan steps up border vigilance

The airspace reservation has reportedly prompted concern within Pakistan’s security establishment. According to reports, Pakistan’s Ministry of Defence convened an urgent meeting to assess the Indian notification, while security forces increased surveillance and vigilance along the border.

Pakistani defence officials have reportedly been monitoring Indian Air Force activity and maintaining heightened preparedness during the exercise period.

Back-to-back air exercises in September

The NOTAM period comes amid a series of major air exercises involving the Indian Air Force.

The India-Japan Veer Guardian 26 exercise is scheduled to begin on September 9 and run until September 21. Japan is expected to deploy three F-2A fighter jets and around 110 personnel, with the exercise marking the first time Japanese fighter aircraft are expected to operate from an Indian air base for the drill.

This will be followed by Tarang Shakti 2026, the IAF’s multinational air exercise scheduled at Jodhpur from September 26 to October 12. The exercise will bring together air forces from several countries for air-combat training, operational coordination and interoperability drills.

Sustained fighter activity expected

The sequence of exercises is expected to result in sustained military aviation activity across western Rajasthan and areas close to the Pakistan border through September and into October.

For the IAF, the exercises will provide an opportunity to train personnel in demanding operational scenarios, test coordination and deployment procedures, and conduct air-combat training alongside advanced fighter platforms.

The developments come amid continued efforts by the Indian Armed Forces to maintain operational preparedness through regular exercises and training. Given the proximity of some of the reserved airspace to the international border, the activity is expected to be closely watched by both India and Pakistan.