Pakistan denied IndiGo Delhi-Srinagar flight's permission to use its airspace to avoid turbulence: Report

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The pilot of IndiGo flight operating from Delhi to Srinagar, which encountered a sudden hailstorm mid-flight on Wednesday, sought permission from Lahore Air Traffic Control (ATC) to temporarily enter Pakistani airspace to avoid the turbulence, news agency PTI reported citing sources. However, the request was denied.

Sources told news agency PTI that while the aircraft was flying over Amritsar, the pilot noticed increasing turbulence and made the emergency request to Lahore ATC to reroute through Pakistani airspace.

However, due to the ongoing airspace restrictions between India and Pakistan, Lahore ATC denied the request, which forced the aircraft to continue on its original flight path  through the storm.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated a probe into the incident. The flight was carrying over 220 passengers, including a five-member Trinamool Congress delegation, when it faced severe turbulence.

Meanwhile, despite the severe weather conditions, the flight landed safely at Srinagar International Airport. All passengers were attended to upon landing, and no injuries were reported.

"All customers were attended to upon landing and no injuries were reported. The aircraft is currently undergoing necessary inspection and maintenance in Srinagar and will resume operations once all clearances have been secured," the airline said in a statement.

The Trinamool Congress delegation on board included MPs Derek O'Brien, Nadimul Haque, Sagarika Ghose, Manas Bhunia, and Mamata Thakur.

"It was a near-death experience. I thought my life was over. People were screaming, praying, and panicking. Hats off to the pilot who brought us through it. When we landed, we saw the nose of the plane had blown up," said TMC MP Sagarika Ghose.

Videos circulating on social media captured the chaotic scenes inside the cabin, showing terrified passengers praying and clinging to their seats as the plane swayed violently.

Amid heightened tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed at least 26 lives, Pakistan has closed its airspace to Indian carriers, with India reciprocating the move for Pakistani airlines.