32 Airports To Remain Closed Till May 15 Amid Escalating Tensions With Pakistan

New Delhi: The government has ordered the closure of 32 airpots in view of the evolving security situation amid heighten  India-Paksitan tension as Indian armed forces taken on Pakistani-sponsored, nurtured and backed terrorist groups, to avenge the Pahalgam terror attack under Operation Sindoor.

Issuing a statement after government's advisory to suspend operations at 32 airports in view developing security situation, Indigo Airlines mentioned that in accordance with the latest directives from the relevant authorities, all flights to and from the following destinations will remain cancelled until 5.29 am on May 15 due to temporary airport closures. 

Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, Dharamshala, Bikaner, Rajkot, Jodhpur, and Kishangarh airports will be closed until May 15.

"Following a notification from aviation authorities on continued closure of multiple airports in India, Air India flights to and from the following stations - Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Bhuj, Jamnagar and Rajkot - are being cancelled till 0529 hrs IST on 15 May, pending further updates. Customers holding valid tickets for travel during this period will be offered a one-time waiver on rescheduling charges or a full refund for cancellations," the airlines said.

The airport operations have been shut in these regions as Pakistan is escalating the conflict with India by shooting drones and missiles over several Indian cities situated near the Line of Control and International Border, for the past three days after India launched Operation Sindoor to avenge the killings of Indian civilians in the Pahalgam terror attack. However, none of the attempts made by Pakistani to target Indian military and civilian infrastructure, establishments has succeeded as a robust India's air defence systems have been intercepting and destroying these drones and missiles with 100 per cent precision mid air.

Earlier on the intervening night of May 8 and 9, Pakistan resorted to an unprovoked escalation when it fired 300-400 Turkish drones and missiles using civilian flights as shields to target Indian military and civilian establishments over various districts including Jammu, Amritsar, Jaisalmer, Uri, Poonch among others.

Briefing the nation on Pakistan's latest escalation which was successfully thwarted and neutralised by India, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi revealed that 300 to 400 drones were deployed across 36 locations, with several being shot down by Indian forces using both kinetic and non-kinetic methods. Initial investigations suggest the drones were Turkish-made Asisguard Songar models. 

"On the night of May 7 and 8, the Pakistani army violated Indian airspace several times over the entire western border to target military infrastructure. Not only this, the Pakistani army also fired heavy-calibre weapons along the Line of Control. Around 300 to 400 drones were used to attempt infiltration at 36 locations," Colonel Sofiya Qureshi further said.

"The Indian armed forces shot down many of these drones using kinetic and non-kinetic means. The possible purpose of such large-scale aerial intrusions was to test air defence systems and collect intelligence. Forensic investigation of the wreckage of the drones is being done. Initial reports suggest that they are Turkish Asisguard Songar drones...," she added.