India has closed its airspace to all aircraft registered in Pakistan, including those operated or leased by Pakistani airlines and military flights. This decision comes in the wake of the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives.

The ban will be effective from April 30 to May 23 and is subject to further review, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) said on Wednesday.

Pakistan had already imposed a similar restriction on Indian aircraft six days ago. With this, both countries have now closed their airspace to each other’s airlines.

The move follows an increase in ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC), to which the Indian Army has responded firmly. Security forces have also ramped up anti-terror operations across the Kashmir Valley in the wake of the Pahalgam attack.

The government has granted full operational freedom to the armed forces to determine the appropriate response.

(ANI)