Pakistan Airspace
KARACH: Pakistan has extended the closure of its airspace for all types of flights until 12:00 pm on Sunday, May 11, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) announced on Saturday. The decision, which affects both domestic and international air travel, follows a significant escalation in military tensions with India along the Line of Control (LoC).
According to the PAA, the suspension of airspace operations is a precautionary measure in light of increased hostilities between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. The closure was implemented shortly after the Pakistan Armed Forces launched Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, a large-scale military retaliation against what Islamabad described as ongoing Indian airspace violations and cross-border aggression.
Security sources confirmed that the closure was prompted by an alarming security breach earlier in the day when an unidentified drone was intercepted near Sukkur Airport. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Azhar Khan verified the incident, stating that the threat was neutralized swiftly without damage or casualties.
In a further security measure, authorities evacuated Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, relocating foreign nationals to local hotels and advising all other passengers to return home.
The airspace shutdown comes amid heightened military action. As part of its retaliatory operation, Pakistan reportedly targeted at least 10 strategic sites within India. These included major air bases such as Pathankot, Udhampur, Gujarat, and Rajasthan, as well as BrahMos missile storage facilities in Beas and Nagrota. The offensive is seen as a direct response to India’s missile strikes late Friday night on three Pakistani airbases.
During a press briefing, Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry confirmed that India launched air-to-ground missiles at Nur Khan Airbase (Rawalpindi), Murid Airbase (Chakwal), and Shorkot Airbase. He assured the public that all Pakistan Air Force (PAF) assets remained unharmed.
“By the grace of Allah Almighty, all PAF assets are safe,” the DG ISPR stated, while warning India of a strong and calculated response: “Now just wait for our response.”
He further alleged that India had expanded its aggression by firing missiles and deploying drones inside Afghanistan, accusing New Delhi of risking regional stability through reckless military adventurism. “India’s arrogance is pushing the region toward destabilisation,” he said, vowing that Pakistan will counter any aggression with full strength and resolve.
As international concern grows, diplomatic observers warn that the situation remains highly volatile, and further escalation could have far-reaching consequences for peace in South Asia.
