India Strikes Terror Targets in Pakistan; Flights Cancelled Across Region
| 2025-05-07
Civilian flights at Srinagar Airport have been suspended for the day due to airfield closure, officials confirmed.
Following India's Operation Sindoor against terror camps in Pakistan, airports in North India suspend flights while Pakistan briefly closes its airspace.
India’s anti-terror strikes lead to widespread air travel disruption
India’s precision military operation targeting nine alleged terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir has led to the suspension of civilian flights at several airports, while Pakistan temporarily closed its airspace in response.
Airports shut across northern India
The Indian Air Force (IAF) confirmed that Srinagar Airport remained closed for all civilian flights on Wednesday, with similar closures reported at airports in Jammu, Leh, Amritsar, and several other cities across northern, north-western, and central India.
The cancellations come in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, a coordinated strike by the Indian Armed Forces on what were described as terror infrastructure sites across the Line of Control (LoC). The Indian military reported that nine targets were hit with precision-guided munitions—four in Pakistan, including locations in Bahawalpur, Muridke, Sarjal, and Mehmoona Joya, and five in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
Civilian flight suspensions were initially confirmed by Srinagar Airport Director Javed Anjum, who told news agency JKNS: “Airfield is closed and today no civil flights will be operated from Srinagar Airport.”
IndiGo and other carriers cancel operations
India’s largest airline, IndiGo, cancelled flight operations to and from 11 cities, citing aviation directives in the wake of heightened military activity. Affected cities include Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, Dharamshala, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Gwalior, Kishangarh, and Rajkot.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, IndiGo said: “In line with directives from aviation authorities regarding airport closures, we’re in the process of cancelling all flights to and from these cities until 0529 hrs on 10th May. We are closely monitoring the situation.”
Air India and SpiceJet also announced similar cancellations and offered flexibility to passengers holding valid tickets, including full refunds or one-time rescheduling waivers.
Pakistan’s airspace briefly shut
In a direct response to the Indian strikes, Pakistan closed its airspace for 48 hours, initially restricting flights over Islamabad and Lahore and diverting them to Karachi. Though airspace was briefly reopened after eight hours, authorities in Lahore imposed another 24-hour closure later in the day.
A spokesperson for Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority said that while some international and domestic flights had resumed, the situation remained fluid. Flights from West Asian countries were reportedly operating on schedule, and a flight from Uzbekistan Airlines was allowed to transit through Lahore to New Delhi.
Tourism sector shows resilience
In Ladakh, which was affected by multiple flight cancellations, the All Ladakh Hotel and Guest House Association (ALHGHA) offered complimentary accommodation to stranded tourists. The association's president announced that guests whose outbound flights were disrupted would be allowed to continue staying at their existing hotels without charge.
The initiative was welcomed by local leaders, including Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, who praised the move as an example of "Ladakh’s spirit of hospitality and patriotism."
Background: Operation Sindoor
Operation Sindoor was launched in retaliation for a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on 22 April, in which 26 people were killed. Indian authorities stated that the objective of the operation was to dismantle infrastructure used to train or shelter militants responsible for the attack.
Officials from India’s defence ministry said no civilian populations or military installations were targeted during the strike. The government has not disclosed whether the operation involved manned aircraft or unmanned systems, but sources indicate that special precision munitions were used.
Context and implications
The strikes mark a significant escalation in tensions between India and Pakistan, both of whom have fought multiple wars since gaining independence in 1947 and continue to contest the status of Jammu and Kashmir.
While cross-border skirmishes are not uncommon, large-scale air operations remain rare and carry heightened risks of miscalculation.
The suspension of air travel, affecting major civilian hubs, highlights the broader economic and logistical impact of military actions in the region. Analysts are watching closely for any diplomatic fallout or further retaliatory steps.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has not yet issued an official statement on international reactions, but global aviation and travel bodies are advising caution for flights operating in the region.
Further updates are expected as both countries evaluate the situation and reassess their respective aviation and security policies.
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