Following India’s precision missile strikes on terror camps, Islamabad declares 48-hour no-fly zone as tensions hit boiling point.
Islamabad/Rawalpindi, May 7, 2025:
In the wake of India’s precision strikes on nine terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) under ‘Operation Sindoor’, Pakistan has completely shut down its airspace for 48 hours. The unprecedented move signals growing panic in Islamabad as it prepares a potential counter-response.
Until now, Pakistan had restricted its airspace only for Indian carriers. But after India’s missile barrage targeting terror hubs linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, the country has now closed its airspace for all domestic and international commercial traffic, including its own airlines. Only essential and military-authorised flights are being allowed.
Also Read: Pakistan Stock Market Crashes 5% After Operation Sindoor Strikes
🛑 A Nation on High Alert
The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority issued the no-fly order late Tuesday night, just hours after Indian missiles struck targets including Bahawalpur, Muridke, Mehmoona Joya, and Kotli.
Also Read: 🇮🇳 First Visuals: Indian Forces Strike Terror Camps in Pakistan Under Operation Sindoor
Air traffic to Islamabad and Lahore was swiftly diverted to Karachi, causing congestion and stress on air operations. The move comes as a direct fallout of India’s retaliatory strikes after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians.
Meanwhile, Indian authorities have also restricted flights at multiple airports along the western front in anticipation of a Pakistani military reaction.
🧨 Islamabad Plans Its Response
Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif convened the National Security Council to evaluate response options. Defence officials in Rawalpindi have hinted at “appropriate countermeasures” but military experts warn that any Pakistani strike now would be viewed globally as escalation—not retaliation—given India’s carefully calibrated and publicly justified response.
The airspace lockdown, although labelled a “precautionary measure”, reflects a region on the edge. Experts say if Pakistan carries out a retaliatory strike, New Delhi has made it clear it will “retaliate resolutely.”
🌍 The Global Context
India has already briefed key global powers including the United States, Russia, the UK, and the UN about the evidence linking Pakistani groups to the Pahalgam massacre. So far, international response has largely backed India’s right to self-defence, with countries urging restraint but acknowledging the legitimacy of India’s action.
Tags: India Pakistan Tensions, Operation Sindoor, Airspace Closure, Pahalgam Attack, Pakistan Army, Shehbaz Sharif, National Security, Geopolitics