Pakistan has decided on Wednesday to close down its airspace entirely after India launched a precision missile attack on nine terror sites in the country and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in the early hours of Wednesday as a part of the ‘Operation Sindoor’.
So far, Pakistan had closed its airspace only for flights that are owned, leased, or operated by Indian carriers, but after India’s precision strikes, Islamabad and Rawalpindi (Pak Army headquarters) have announced a total closure of the country’s airspace for all countries, including its own civilian planes. Only some essential flights are reportedly being permitted.
Earlier, flights that were owned, leased, or operated by Indian carriers were shut down by Pakistan, but after the precision strikes by India, Islamabad and Rawalpindi (Pak Army headquarters) have decided to close the airspace for all countries, including its own civilian planes, according to a report by NDTV.
An order issued by the aviation authority of Pakistan declared that the country is currently a no-fly zone for the next 48 hours. While Pakistan has announced the decision as a precautionary measure, the country has promised to retaliate.
Action Taken By Pakistan Now Would Be Viewed As An Escalation: Military Experts
India’s recent missile strikes under Operation Sindoor targeted nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in response to Pakistan-linked cross-border terrorism, specifically the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians. The attack was religiously driven and followed a provocative communal speech by Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir.
Military experts argue that any action taken by Pakistan now would be viewed as an escalation rather than legitimate retaliation. In response, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convened a national security council meeting to assess their next steps.
During and immediately after the Indian strikes (1:05–1:30 am IST), flights bound for Islamabad and Lahore were rerouted to Karachi, causing operational strain, and the country’s airspace was largely closed except for essential services.
India, meanwhile, has restricted civilian air traffic at several airports near the western border and has warned that any escalation from Pakistan will be met with firm retaliation.
