Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority announced on Friday that it is extending its ban on Indian aircraft from using Pakistani airspace for another month, amid heightened tensions following one of the worst flare-ups between the two nuclear-armed neighbors in recent decades.
The ban, initially imposed on April 24, comes in response to escalating hostilities that erupted after a deadly attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir—a strike that New Delhi blames on Pakistan-backed militants. Islamabad has denied the allegations and has called for an independent investigation into the incident.
The military conflict that ensued lasted four days, involving missile strikes, drone attacks, and heavy artillery fire, which claimed more than 70 lives on both sides before a ceasefire was declared on May 10.
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In a statement, Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority reaffirmed its stance: “No flight operated by Indian airlines or operators will be allowed to use Pakistani airspace,” adding that the restrictions would remain in place until the early morning of June 24. The ban also extends to Indian military aircraft.
India, in a reciprocal move, had imposed its own airspace restrictions on Pakistani carriers in late April, which remain in effect until June 23.
This renewed aviation standoff underscores the fragile state of diplomatic relations between the two countries, particularly over the long-disputed region of Kashmir. Since gaining independence in 1947, both India and Pakistan have laid claim to the territory, which remains a flashpoint for repeated cycles of violence and political unrest.
With both nations holding firm to their positions, hopes for immediate de-escalation appear slim, and travelers and airlines alike continue to face disruptions amid the broader geopolitical tensions.
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