View attachment 786272
This was the exact location of the IN submarine when it was being tracked via thermal imaging, which is 158 NM SSW from Karachi.
These are international waters and no offensive action can be taken against such detections.
The track, speed and time of the location and tracking was not disclosed.
It was detected while submerged and after sonobouys were dropped, it had to surface to disclose its location to the Orion overhead to avoid any further action.
The information/movement of this IN sub may have been known when it left harbour and was probably proceeding to its patrol station near our coastline.
It is was a scorpene class submarine, and PN does have a signature library for this class.
Movements of submarines are normally classified by all navies to avoid detection by others in order to capture their acoustic signatures.
The UNCLOS only restricts vessels movements in Territorial waters.
PART III of UNCLOS
Article20
Submarines and other underwater vehicles
In the territorial sea, submarines and other underwater vehicles are required to navigate on the surface and to show their flag.
There is no restrictions of movements in International waters. However Hot pursuit can be done.
PART VII of UNCLOS
Article111
Right of hot pursuit
5. The right of hot pursuit may be exercised only by warships or military aircraft, or other ships or aircraft clearly marked and identifiable as being on government service and authorized to that effect.
6. Where hot pursuit is effected by an aircraft:
(a) the provisions of paragraphs 1 to 4 shall apply mutatis mutandis;
(b) the aircraft giving the order to stop must itself actively pursue the ship until a ship or another aircraft of the coastal State, summoned by the aircraft, arrives to take over the pursuit, unless the aircraft is itself able to arrest the ship. It does not suffice to justify an arrest outside the territorial sea that the ship was merely sighted by the aircraft as an offender or suspected offender, if it was not both ordered to stop and pursued by the aircraft itself or other aircraft or ships which continue the pursuit without interruption.