Due to security concerns, Pakistan has allegedly placed all of its airports on high alert and canceled flights to and from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on Pakistan International Airlines, the nation’s flag carrier. The Express Tribune and the Urdu daily Jung both extensively covered the move. It follows Pakistan’s announcement early Wednesday that it has ‘reliable intelligence’ that India was preparing a strike within the next 30 to 60 hours. Go through
Amid growing concerns of a possible Indian military assault, Pakistan has put all major airports on high alert and canceled flights to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), marking a dramatic increase in regional tensions. The action is a reaction to increased diplomatic tensions over territory disputes and cross-border incidents between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) halted all civilian flights to the PoK, according to government sources, citing “security concerns and operational risks.” Numerous roads that link Pakistani cities to areas like Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, and Gilgit-Baltistan are impacted by the ruling. Authorities have stepped up monitoring in critical border areas and reinforced security at Pakistan’s main airports.
These changes have had repercussions along the Line of Control (LoC), especially at Pahalgam, a well-liked tourist resort in India’s Jammu and Kashmir. Pahalgam is around 100 kilometers from the Line of Control and is well-known for its verdant meadows and picturesque valleys. It is also the starting place for the Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage. To protect visitors and locals alike, local officials have increased security in and around Pahalgam as tensions grow.
A senior police official in the Anantnag district, which includes Pahalgam, stated, “We are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with central agencies.” “Security measures have been enhanced, and patrolling has been intensified, especially in border-sensitive areas.”
Airport Alert Nationwide
Major cities including as Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, and others were told to increase security screening, halt non-essential services, and keep military assets ready. Terminals, runways, and air traffic control centers are being guarded by a greater number of security personnel, including paramilitary troops and airport security teams.
A red warning has been issued for every airport. The CAA spokesperson, Air Commodore Farooq Ahmed, said during a press briefing in Islamabad that flight operations to the Azad Jammu and Kashmir territory had been banned with immediate effect until further notice. “Given increased regional tensions and intelligence warnings, this is a precautionary measure.
Flights linking Islamabad, Muzaffarabad, Gilgit, and Skardu to other regions of the nation have been impacted, the CAA reports. In order to avoid the northern airspace, international aircraft have been postponed or diverted. Since the situation is still changing, officials have recommended passengers to check with their airlines for the most recent information.
The Escalation’s Root
Conflicts along the Line of Control (LoC), the de facto boundary separating Pakistan-administered areas from Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, began in early April, marking the beginning of the current escalation. In the Neelum Valley, both sides have engaged in artillery combat, with both military and civilian losses recorded.
However, a fatal attack in the Indian town of Pahalgam, a well-liked tourist resort in southern Kashmir, two weeks ago served as the immediate trigger. At least 12 troops were killed in an ambush on a convoy of Indian security personnel. India quickly accused terrorist organizations supported by Pakistan of planning the assault, a claim Islamabad has flatly denied.
Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh responded by saying that “no provocation would go unanswered” and making reference to potential “surgical responses” to destroy insurgent facilities on the other side of the border. Fears of an impending military attack were heightened when Indian forces were seen simultaneously deploying more troops and artillery units closer to the Line of Control.
Pahalgam’s Local Impact
Life in Pahalgam has cautiously slowed down as locals prepare for potential worsening. The town is vulnerable to military flare-ups because of its proximity to the Line of Control, even though it is fully within Indian-administered Kashmir.
Local companies report a sharp drop in activity, especially in the travel and hotel sectors. Mohammad Rafiq, who owns a hotel in Pahalgam, stated, “We were expecting the tourist season to pick up in May, but these tensions have already led to multiple booking cancellations.” “The atmosphere is tense, and people are worried.
Additional paramilitary force contingents have been sent in to uphold law and order, and schools and institutions in the southern Kashmir area have been urged to stay closed for the next several days as a precaution.
Global Issues
Concern about the most recent developments has grown within the international community. In a statement, UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged both parties to use moderation and have a conversation. “We call on India and Pakistan to refrain from actions that could further inflame the situation and to respect existing ceasefire agreements along the Line of Control,” the statement continued.
Similar views have been expressed by the European Union and the U.S. State Department, which have emphasized the significance of de-escalation in preserving regional stability. China, a significant regional player and Pakistan’s longstanding friend, has allegedly advised Islamabad to refrain from confrontational behavior while promoting diplomatic communication.
