Pakistan has opted to extend its airspace ban on Indian flights for another month. The formal announcement is expected either today (Wednesday) or tomorrow, after which a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) will be issued, Geo News reported, quoting sources.
As per the regulations of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), airspace closures can only be imposed for up to one month at a time, requiring regular renewals.
This move follows a meeting of Pakistan’s National Security Committee (NSC) held earlier this month, during which it was decided to restrict Indian overflights in response to actions taken by India after the Pahalgam incident. The restrictions apply to both civilian and military aircraft.
The decision comes in the wake of rising tensions between the two countries following the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists in Jammu and Kashmir. In retaliation, India closed its airspace to Pakistani flights on April 23, leading to a reciprocal measure by Pakistan the following day.
The Indian military claims that Pakistan requested a halt to military operations after India struck eight of its military facilities in the early hours of May 10, responding to Pakistan’s efforts to target Indian military bases.
This isn’t the first instance of such airspace restrictions by Pakistan. Similar measures were taken during the 1999 Kargil War and the 2019 Pulwama crisis, when tensions between the two countries escalated.
ALSO READ | Pakistan Didn’t Shut Airspace During Aerial Raids, Using Civilian Aircraft As Shields: Col. Sophia Qureshi
