Pakistan Closes Airspace- Pakistan has officially closed its airspace to all civilian and commercial air traffic following a major escalation in hostilities with India, which accused Islamabad of recklessly endangering international aviation by conducting military operations under the cover of active civilian air traffic corridors.
The closure, announced via a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued early Saturday morning, came after India alleged that Pakistan deliberately allowed civilian aircraft to fly over regions near the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB), even as it carried out drone and missile attacks on Indian military assets.
The decision to shut airspace is being viewed as a reactive move by Islamabad, prompted by growing international and regional scrutiny after India highlighted the safety risks posed by such military-civilian airspace overlaps.
India’s Accusation: Civilian Flights Used as “Shields”
During a high-level press briefing on Friday evening, Indian Army spokesperson Colonel Sofiya Qureshi accused Pakistan of using civil airliners as a deterrent against Indian retaliation, stating that the tactic jeopardized the safety of numerous international flights operating in the region.
“Pakistan is knowingly allowing civilian aircraft to fly in the same corridors where it is launching drone and missile strikes against Indian targets,” Colonel Qureshi said. “This is not only irresponsible but poses a serious threat to global aviation safety. It is evident that these tactics are being employed to complicate India’s defensive response.”
Colonel Qureshi was joined by Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, who echoed concerns about the military risks such actions pose to uninvolved third-party nations whose airliners traverse the region.
Indian authorities cited real-time radar logs showing multiple civilian aircraft, including international carriers, operating dangerously close to zones of active Pakistani drone operations across Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, and Rajasthan. These areas witnessed intense military activity overnight as Pakistan launched coordinated strikes targeting Indian airbases and forward positions.
Pakistan’s Coordinated Drone and Missile Strikes
The escalation follows Pakistan’s launch of drone and missile strikes across 26 Indian locations late Thursday night and into Friday. The targets included key airbases such as Pathankot, Udhampur, Bhuj, Bathinda, and Adampur, along with military and civil aviation facilities. While India reported some minor damage to infrastructure and injuries to personnel, it confirmed that the majority of incoming threats were intercepted or neutralized.
India also confirmed that drone sightings and attempted airspace violations were recorded in areas including Baramulla, Avantipora, Leh, Sir Creek, and Jaisalmer. Pakistani UAVs were intercepted using both radar-guided kinetic measures and electronic warfare countermeasures.
High-Level Security Meetings in New Delhi
In response to the heightened military threat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened a late-night security review at his residence on Friday, attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, and the Chiefs of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Sources familiar with the meeting stated that operational readiness, civilian protection protocols, and strategic countermeasures were discussed. In a rare gesture underscoring the seriousness of the situation, PM Modi also met with former service chiefs earlier in the day to consult on potential escalatory scenarios and appropriate response frameworks.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Amit Shah held a separate emergency preparedness review with top officials from border states including Punjab, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, and Gujarat. The review focused on civil protection mechanisms for high-value targets such as airports, fuel depots, and military logistics hubs.
International Aviation on Alert
Following Pakistan’s airspace closure, several international airlines began rerouting flights that typically transit over Pakistani territory. Major Middle Eastern and European carriers issued advisories and implemented alternate flight paths to avoid the India-Pakistan conflict zone. Aviation analysts have warned that prolonged disruption in this airspace could impact fuel costs and flight times for several transcontinental routes, particularly those linking Southeast Asia with Europe and the Middle East.
Looking Ahead
With both nations ramping up military readiness and diplomatic rhetoric, the international community has begun urging de-escalation. However, India has maintained that it will continue to respond decisively to any further threats, especially those involving cross-border terror or threats to civilian lives.
“India will not compromise on its sovereignty or the safety of its citizens,” said Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. “We have shown restraint, but we will respond with full force if provoked again.”
