India's response to Pahalgam attack: New Delhi closes its airspace for Pakistani carriers

This action follows a terrorist attack in Pahalgam.

In a major development in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, India on Wednesday closed its airspace for aircraft registered, operated, owned and leased by Pakistani airlines. This action will affect both civil and military planes.

New Delhi's action follows a horrific terrorist attack in South Kashmir's Pahalgam. India is also considering banning Pakistani ships from its ports. Earlier, Pakistan had closed its airspace to Indian airlines. India has already suspended the Indus Waters Treaty. Visas for Pakistani citizens have been revoked. Staff reductions are planned at both high commissions.

Flights from Pakistan, which are scheduled for destinations in southeast Asia and Oceania will now have to circumnavigate India. This will put an immense burden on the already cash-strapped Pakistani carriers, while also increasing travel time considerably.

The announcement comes amid escalating tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad in the wake of the barbaric terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam in which at least 26 tourists were gunned down by terrorists with links to Pakistan. The terror attack was religiously-motivated and came days after an inflammatory speech by Pakistan's army chief General Asim Munir.

The airspace curbs put in by Pakistan for Indian airlines have already resulted in increased fuel consumption and longer flight durations.  Airlines in India are likely to face additional weekly expenses of Rs 77 crore for international flights operated from north Indian cities due to the closure of airspace by Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack.