Pahalgam terror attack: India shuts airspace for Pak-run flights, military aircraft

A week after the Pahalgam terror attack, India has issued a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) restricting its airspace to all aircraft registered, operated, or leased by Pakistan, including commercial airlines and military flights.

The airspace closure will be in effect from April 30 to May 23, 2025.

Notably, Pakistani carriers had already started avoiding Indian airspace, reportedly due to concerns over possible retaliation following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, in which terrorists opened fire on civilians, killing 26 people.

With India now officially restricting its airspace, Pakistani airlines will be forced to take longer routes through countries such as China or Sri Lanka to reach Southeast Asian destinations like Kuala



Lumpur, officials said.

Pakistan earlier shut its airspace to Indian flights after the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir.

India's decision to close its airspace to Pakistani aircraft is part of a series of retaliatory actions taken in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. Earlier, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, making its revival conditional on Pakistan ending support for cross-border terrorism.

India also shut the Integrated Check Post at the Attari-Wagah border, and authorities set a deadline for Pakistani nationals who had entered India with valid documents to exit. Also, all visas issued to Pakistani citizens have been revoked, and travel under the SAARC visa exemption scheme is no longer allowed for Pakistanis.