New Delhi: After India launched strikes and destroyed terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Pakistan responded by closing down its airspace entirely.
Till now, Pakistan had restricted its airspace only for flights owned, leased, or operated by Indian carriers. However, in the wake of India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’, authorities in Islamabad and at the Pakistan Army headquarters in Rawalpindi have declared a total closure of the country’s airspace to flights of all countries, including those of its own civilian airlines. A limited number of essential flights are reportedly being allowed to fly.
Issued by Pakistan’s aviation authority, the order pointed out that Pakistan was now a no-fly zone for the next 48 hours. Even though Pakistan has called the total airspace closure as a precautionary step, it has also pledged to retaliate to the Indian strikes.
India launched military strikes against the terrorist camps in Pakistan and PoK following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. It also accused Pakistan of encouraging cross-border terrorism, after hand of LeT group was found in the Pahalgam attack.
On Wednesday, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting of the National Security Council to discuss and decide on the country’s response to ‘Operation Sindoor’.
During and soon after India’s military strikes on terror camps in Pakistan, all incoming flights to Islamabad and Lahore were diverted to Karachi Airport. Later, Pakistan closed its entire airspace, allowing only a limited number of essential flights to operate.
Earlier, on April 30, India had issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), declaring the closure of its airspace to all Pakistan-registered and military aircraft amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan. The move came six days after Pakistan closed its airspace to all flights owned and operated by Indian carriers. Earlier, Pakistan had announced a temporary No-Fly Zone (NOTAM) over Islamabad and Lahore until May 2, as it apprehended a possible Indian airstrike.
