Civilian Aircraft in Danger as Indian Missiles Cross Pakistani Airspace
📍Islamabad, Pakistan
📄 A total of 57 civilian flights from various countries were reportedly at risk while flying over Pakistani airspace during an Indian missile strike operation, according to a statement by Lieutenant General Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry, spokesperson for the Pakistani military.
He stated that “between the night of May 6 and early May 7, while India was carrying out its attacks, 57 domestic and international flights were airborne,” adding that “the lives of thousands of passengers were endangered.”
Aircraft from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Thailand, and China were among those reportedly traversing Pakistani skies at the time of the missile activity.
Chaudhry condemned India’s actions, stating, “Whether in war or any other situation, I never imagined something like this could happen. Innocent civilian passengers were put at grave risk.”
As the India-Pakistan conflict intensifies, many commercial airlines have begun canceling flights to and from Pakistan or altering routes to avoid its airspace due to escalating safety concerns.
India recently launched “Operation Sindhur,” targeting nine locations including areas in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, using missile strikes in retaliation for last month’s terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir. In response, Pakistan claimed to have shot down five Indian fighter jets, underscoring a serious escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
Analysts warn that the current trajectory could destabilize the broader South Asian region, especially if airspace security and military thresholds continue to be tested.
The presence of civilian aircraft during active missile operations marks a dangerous precedent, raising alarms among international aviation and diplomatic communities.
Reported from Islamabad, Pakistan – World News War Correspondence Desk
