Pakistan closes airspace after Indian missile strikes, vows response

Pakistan has imposed a complete shutdown of its airspace following precision strikes by the Indian armed forces targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The move, announced by Islamabad and Rawalpindi - the headquarters of the Pakistani military - comes amid mounting regional tensions.

Previously, Pakistan had restricted its airspace only for Indian-owned, leased, or operated flights. However, in response to India's cross-border strikes under Operation Sindoor, the country has now extended the airspace closure to all international and domestic flights. Only a few essential flights are currently being allowed, as per the directive from Pakistan's aviation authority.

The airspace is expected to remain closed for at least 48 hours.

The strikes, conducted early Wednesday between 1:05 am and 1:30 am IST, targeted nine terror installations, according to Indian sources. These attacks were carried out in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror incident, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians.

The Indian government has linked the attack to cross-border terror networks allegedly supported by Pakistan, following a controversial communal speech by Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Asim Munir.

In the immediate aftermath of the strikes, all inbound flights to Islamabad and Lahore were diverted to Karachi, severely straining airport operations.

Subsequently, Pakistani authorities implemented a full airspace lockdown. In a parallel move, India has also restricted flight operations at several airports near its western border, preparing for any potential escalation.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convened a meeting with the National Security Council to decide the country's official response. While Pakistan claims the airspace closure is a precautionary step, military analysts suggest that any offensive action taken by Pakistan at this stage would be interpreted not as a justified retaliation, but as a clear escalation.