India has extended its airspace ban on Pakistan flights using Indian airspace until June 23, following ongoing tensions between the two nations. The decision comes after a recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam last month that tragically claimed the lives of 26 civilians.
A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) was issued on Friday, based on directions from the Ministry of Civil Aviation. This ban applies to all aircraft owned, leased, or operated by Pakistan airlines, including military planes, effectively stopping them from entering Indian airspace.
India Extends Airspace Ban on Pakistan Flights
India has extended its airspace ban for Pakistan flights until June 23, following heightened tensions after the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians. The original ban, implemented on April 30, was due to expire on May 23 (Saturday).
According to sources, this move is part of a broader set of actions taken by the Indian government in response to the recent attack. A new Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued on Friday confirms the extension.
The ban applies to:
- All aircraft registered in Pakistan
- Aircraft owned, operated, or leased by Pakistan airlines
- Pakistan’s military planes
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu commented, saying, “We will continue to follow the guidance of security agencies. This is not a decision made solely by the Civil Aviation Ministry, it involves broader national security concerns.”
In a reciprocal move, Pakistan has also extended its airspace ban for Indian flights until June 24.
Pakistan Extends Airspace Ban for Indian Flights
Just hours before India announced its decision, Pakistan extended its airspace ban for all Indian-registered and Indian-operated aircraft until the early hours of June 24, 2025. The Pakistan Airports Authority confirmed the move in an official statement.
Pakistan had initially closed its airspace on April 23, following the Pahalgam terror attack that was allegedly carried out by Lashkar-e-Taiba militants. The airspace restriction was first imposed for a month, in line with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) guidelines, which mandate that such restrictions cannot exceed one month at a time.
In response, India issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) a week later, restricting its own airspace to all Pakistani-registered, operated, or leased aircraft, including both civilian airlines and military planes. The move was a direct response to Pakistan’s actions and the growing diplomatic strain between the two countries.
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Tensions Escalate Between India and Pakistan After ‘Operation Sindoor’
Tensions between India and Pakistan have further intensified following India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’, a series of precision military strikes on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan carried out on May 7. This operation was a direct response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam’s Baisaran Valley, which left 26 civilians dead.
Before extending its airspace ban for Pakistani aircraft, India took several strong measures, including:
- Suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, stating it will only resume if Pakistan stops supporting cross-border terrorism.
- Closing the Integrated Check Post at the Attari-Wagah border.
- Revoking all visas issued to Pakistani nationals, and banning travel under the SAARC visa exemption scheme.
- Setting a deadline for Pakistani nationals currently in India on valid documents to leave the country.
In retaliation, Pakistan announced countermeasures just a day later, including:
- Closing the Wagah border for Indian entry and exit.
- Suspending all SAARC visas for Indian citizens.
- Invoking the Simla Agreement, with a declaration to put all bilateral agreements with India on hold, unless India complies with international law and UN resolutions on Kashmir.
These escalating moves reflect the deepening strain in diplomatic and strategic ties between the two neighboring nations.
Also Read: Indian Navy Was Ready to Strike Karachi During Operation Sindoor, Reveals Vice Admiral
The escalating diplomatic and military standoff between India and Pakistan reflects the fragile state of regional peace. With both nations enforcing strict airspace bans, shutting borders, and suspending bilateral agreements, tensions continue to rise following the devastating Pahalgam terror attack and India’s retaliatory Operation Sindoor.
As cross-border relations deteriorate, all eyes are now on diplomatic channels and international mediators to de-escalate the crisis and restore stability in the region.
