In a tit-for-tat move reflecting deepening hostilities, India has officially barred all aircraft linked to Pakistan from entering its airspace. The ban, announced Wednesday, covers not only commercial and leased aircraft but also military flights tied to Pakistani operators.
The decision lands just days after Islamabad imposed a similar restriction on Indian carriers, signaling a sharp escalation following a devastating terrorist attack in India’s Jammu and Kashmir region that left 26 dead—mostly tourists.
India’s aviation authority issued a formal Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM), stating that aircraft registered in Pakistan or operated by its airlines are “not permitted to enter Indian airspace.” The restriction will remain in place until at least May 23, and it effectively grounds Pakistan International Airlines’ use of Indian skies on its routes to Kuala Lumpur.
At the heart of the diplomatic breakdown is the April 22 attack, which India squarely blames on Pakistani-backed militants. New Delhi has accused Islamabad of harboring and abetting cross-border terrorism—a charge Pakistan has rejected outright. Instead, Pakistan called for an international probe and claimed that India itself supports destabilizing elements across the border.
The fallout hasn’t stopped at the skies. India has expelled Pakistani nationals, shuttered border crossings, and even moved to suspend the longstanding Indus Waters Treaty of 1960, a cornerstone of India-Pakistan water cooperation. In response, Pakistan halted all trade with India—including indirect commerce routed through third countries—and froze regional visa agreements with its rival.
The diplomatic firestorm has once again spotlighted the fragile relationship between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, long divided over the disputed Kashmir region. While both sides have traded accusations for decades, this latest tit-for-tat showdown could signal yet another chapter of volatility in South Asia.
