India hits back hard: Pakistani flights banned after terror bloodbath

Why Did India Close Its Airspace to Pakistan?

India has formally barred all aircraft registered in Pakistan from flying through Indian airspace following the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that left 26 civilians dead. The Indian aviation regulator issued a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) effective from April 30 to May 23, prohibiting all civilian and military flights operated by Pakistan from traversing Indian-controlled airspace. This move comes in direct retaliation to Pakistan’s earlier decision to block Indian carriers from its air routes in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

The escalation underscores the heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Indian authorities have blamed Pakistan-based terror outfits for orchestrating the Pahalgam attack, pointing to the Lashkar-e-Taiba-affiliated Resistance Front as the perpetrator. Islamabad, however, has denied any state involvement.

What Happened in Pahalgam and Why Is It Significant?

On April 22, 2025, terrorists opened fire on a bus carrying tourists near Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, killing 26 civilians and injuring several others. The attack was one of the deadliest on civilians in the region in recent years. Indian intelligence officials indicated that the assault bore the hallmarks of cross-border terrorism sponsored by groups with known ties to Pakistani intelligence services.

The Resistance Front, an offshoot of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the ambush. The group has been active in Jammu and Kashmir since 2019 and is believed to receive logistical and financial support from operatives in Pakistan. Indian government sources have maintained that the attack represents a calculated attempt to destabilize peace ahead of national elections.

How Will the Airspace Ban Affect Regional Aviation?

India’s decision to block access to its airspace has far-reaching implications for commercial aviation in South Asia. Pakistani carriers flying to Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Australia will be forced to reroute through longer, costlier paths, significantly increasing fuel consumption and flight durations. Military flights are also affected, as the NOTAM includes non-commercial aircraft.

Likewise, Indian airlines now face reciprocal restrictions imposed by Pakistan, forcing them to circumnavigate Pakistani territory en route to Europe and West Asia. Aviation analysts have projected that some long-haul flights will require additional fuel stops, extending travel times by up to four hours on certain routes.

The tit-for-tat restrictions draw parallels to the 2019 Pulwama-Balakot standoff, during which both countries briefly closed airspace and disrupted international flight schedules. The economic impact on national carriers, including Pakistan International Airlines and Air India, could be substantial if the restrictions remain in place beyond May.

What Diplomatic Measures Have Followed the Pahalgam Attack?

The closure of airspace is part of a wider suite of retaliatory actions taken by New Delhi since the Pahalgam incident. The Indian government has suspended provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty, a World Bank-brokered agreement that governs the sharing of water from the Indus River system between India and Pakistan. Officials cited “extraordinary circumstances” for the suspension, calling it a necessary measure in response to cross-border aggression.

In addition, India has expelled multiple Pakistani diplomats, cancelled existing visas granted to Pakistani nationals, and suspended all new visa issuance until further notice. Security has been heightened along the Line of Control (LoC), with Indian forces placed on high alert amid concerns of possible cross-border infiltration attempts.

Pakistani authorities, for their part, have condemned India’s accusations and warned of “serious consequences” should India launch any retaliatory military action. On April 29, Pakistan’s Information Minister Azam Tarar claimed India may be preparing for a limited military strike within the next 36 hours, although this has not been independently verified by external observers.

What Is the International Response?

The United Nations and the United States have called for de-escalation. The UN Secretary-General urged both India and Pakistan to “exercise maximum restraint” and seek dialogue through diplomatic channels to avoid further deterioration of regional stability. The U.S. State Department also released a statement condemning the Pahalgam attack, reaffirming its commitment to counterterrorism cooperation with India, while also appealing to both sides to prevent the crisis from intensifying.

Regional powers such as China and Russia have taken a more neutral stance, urging a return to bilateral dialogue while avoiding any explicit condemnation of either party.

What’s the Security and Political Context Behind the Move?

This is not the first instance of heightened India-Pakistan tensions following terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. The 2016 Uri attack, the 2019 Pulwama bombing, and the 2022 Rajouri massacre each led to sharp diplomatic escalations, military posturing, and global concern.

The broader context involves India’s position that Pakistan provides sanctuary and logistical support to armed groups operating in Kashmir. Pakistan, in turn, claims that India’s actions in Kashmir violate human rights and international norms. Since India revoked Article 370 in August 2019, stripping Jammu and Kashmir of its special constitutional status, bilateral relations have remained strained.

The current crisis unfolds in the run-up to India’s general elections scheduled for mid-2025. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration has repeatedly emphasized national security and zero-tolerance for terrorism as core electoral themes. The Pahalgam attack, therefore, not only escalates military and diplomatic tensions but also enters the domestic political discourse with potential electoral implications.

Will the Airspace Ban Worsen the Economic Fallout?

From an economic standpoint, the airspace restrictions will likely compound existing cost pressures on aviation operators amid high fuel prices and supply chain disruptions. India and Pakistan both rely on foreign carriers for significant transit revenue generated through overflight permissions. The closure of airspace reduces these income streams while also impacting foreign airlines that operate through South Asian corridors.

Air India and Vistara, both of which operate long-haul services to Europe and North America, are expected to bear increased operational costs. Pakistani airlines, with a smaller international footprint, may face even steeper financial challenges if their network access to Southeast Asia remains disrupted for an extended period.

Tourism in Kashmir is also expected to take a hit. Following the attack, several states in India issued advisories against travel to Jammu and Kashmir. With summer approaching—a peak season for tourism in the region—industry insiders anticipate a sharp drop in bookings.

How Are Citizens Reacting to the Crisis?

The civilian reaction has been mixed, with strong support in India for retaliatory measures, particularly from groups aligned with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. On the Pakistani side, officials have accused India of using the airspace ban and other actions to divert attention from domestic issues. Civil society voices in both nations have called for restraint, warning against the economic and human toll of prolonged conflict.

Social media activity has surged, with hashtags related to the Pahalgam attack, airspace bans, and Indo-Pak tensions trending across both Indian and Pakistani platforms. Some online narratives have also circulated misinformation and unverified claims, prompting both governments to issue advisories about the spread of fake news.

A Fragile Peace Under Pressure

The airspace closure between India and Pakistan, following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, marks a significant deterioration in already tense bilateral relations. With mutual distrust at an all-time high and no immediate signs of diplomatic engagement, the current situation reflects the fragile nature of regional peace. While global stakeholders continue to call for de-escalation, the unfolding developments indicate that South Asia’s geopolitical fault lines remain as volatile as ever.

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