In a significant escalation of its retaliatory measures following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 civilians, India has closed its airspace to all aircraft operated, owned, or leased by Pakistani airlines, including military planes.
The ban, announced on Wednesday, was formalized through a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by the Airports Authority of India. It will come into effect at 12:00 am on Thursday and remain in place until May 23, a senior government official confirmed.
The NOTAM effectively bars all Pakistan-registered aircraft and operators from entering Indian airspace, impacting commercial and military flights alike. While there are no direct flights between the two countries, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and other carriers frequently use Indian air corridors for routes to Southeast Asia, including destinations like Singapore and Malaysia.
The move comes just days after Islamabad imposed a similar ban on Indian carriers, escalating the tit-for-tat measures between the two nations amid rising diplomatic and military tensions.
India’s decision is part of a broader set of actions taken in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, which New Delhi attributes to cross-border terrorism. In recent days, India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, downgraded diplomatic ties, closed the land border crossing at Attari, and restricted access to Indian platforms for Pakistani media and entertainers.
As tensions mount, the United States has called for restraint, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging both nations to de-escalate and focus on cooperation to prevent further violence.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)