India has issued a national emergency following precision strikes on Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) terror camps. In reaction, the government had suspended air traffic at five of the major northern airports and heightened surveillance over national air space.
These strikes, code-named “Operation Sindoor,” were in retaliation for the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, when militants killed 26 civilians—all but one of them tourists. As the situation unfolds, the government still holds passenger safety at the top of their agenda despite air traffic disruptions spreading across the nation.
Northern Airports Closed After Strikes
Immediately after the airstrikes, authorities shut down airports in Amritsar, Dharamshala, Jammu, Leh, and Srinagar. The shutdown affects all flights—departures, arrivals, and connections.
Moreover, disruptions extended to New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, where officials urged passengers to double-check their schedules before leaving for the airport. Travelers must confirm their flight status directly with their respective airlines.
Air India Cancels Services in Multiple Cities
Acting quickly, Air India canceled flights to and from nine cities, including Srinagar, Jammu, and Amritsar. The airline said that cancellations will stay in force at least until noon. Two international flights due to land in Amritsar were also diverted to Delhi. Air India is keeping the situation under observation and is set to issue updates as more information emerges.
The effect of the attacks has overbled into global air travel. As an example, Qatar Airways grounded all flights to Pakistan after Pakistan closed its air space. The airline guaranteed safety for its passengers and invited them to go on its website to get the latest information. Other international airlines are likely to release additional modifications as the events evolve.
Operation Sindoor: India Targets Terror Hubs
With Operation Sindoor, India attacked nine known terror camps spread across Pakistan and PoK. Bahawalpur, a terror hub for group Jaish-e-Mohammed, was among the targets. With these attacks, Indian forces sought to disable infrastructure associated with terrorist organizations plotting against Indian territory. Indian officials clarified that they specifically targeted avoid Pakistani military installations to avoid wider escalation. In spite of this restraint, Pakistan condemned the strikes as a “blatant act of war” and threatened to retaliate.
In the future, Indian authorities intend to keep controlling the airspace with increased vigilance. As tensions continue to run high, the government will review the security situation periodically and issue updates to the public. Airlines and passengers need to remain vigilant and reschedule travel according to new advisories.
