India is minitoring its airspace while airports across parts of north-west India have been shut until further notice following the military strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir (POK). The strikes, named ‘Operation Sindoor’, came in response to last month’s deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam which killed 26 civilians, mostly tourists.
“This is a national emergency, the safety of passengers is paramount. DGCA is monitoring the situation,” sources told. Pakistan has said a befitting reply would be given to India for the strikes.
Flight operations have been suspended at key airports, including Dharamshala (DHM), Leh (IXL), Jammu (IXJ), Srinagar (SXR), and Amritsar (ATQ). Authorities have said that all departures, arrivals, and connecting flights through these airports may be affected.
Flight operations at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in New Delhi were disrupted, with authorities advising passengers to check with their airlines before heading to the airport.
Passengers have been advised to check the status of their flights with airlines and plan their journeys accordingly. Further updates are expected based on the evolving security situation.
National carrier Air India has announced the cancellation of all flights to and from nine cities — Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot — until 12 noon today, pending further updates from authorities.
Two international flights en route to Amritsar have also been diverted to Delhi.
Moreover, no civil flights will be operated from Srinagar Airport today as the airfield is closed, officials said.
International operations are also feeling the impact of India’s “focused and precise” strikes in Pakistan. Qatar Airways has temporarily suspended all flights to Pakistan owing to the closure of Pakistani airspace.
The airline said it is closely monitoring the situation and reiterated that the safety of passengers and crew remains its top priority. Affected passengers have been advised to check real-time updates on qatarairways.com or contact the airline’s support centre at +974 4144 5555.
OPERATION SINDOOR
In a sharp response to the Pahalgam terror which took place on April 22, Indian armed forces on early Wednesday carried out missile strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, including in Bahawalpur, a stronghold of the banned Jaish-e-Mohammed.
“A little while ago, the Indian Armed forces launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ hitting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir from where terrorist attacks against India have been planned and directed,” an official statement read.
“No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted. India has demonstrated considerable restraint in selection of targets and method of execution,” it added.
