India Considering To Shut Airspace to Pakistan, Ban Ships Over Pahalgam Terror Attack: Sources
India is considering shutting its airspace to Pakistani airlines and banning Pakistani ships from its ports in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack, sources said on Tuesday.
New Delhi is weighing strong retaliatory measures, including the closure of Indian airspace to Pakistani airlines, following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians, government sources confirmed on Tuesday. The attackers were reportedly affiliated with Pakistan-based militant groups.
Sources in the civil aviation ministry said that if implemented, the ban would significantly impact Pakistani carriers, forcing them to reroute flights via Chinese or Sri Lankan air corridors to reach destinations in Southeast Asia like Kuala Lumpur.
“Pakistan’s airlines will face increased operational costs and longer flight times,” an official said, requesting anonymity.
Amid rising tensions, Pakistani airlines have already begun voluntarily avoiding Indian airspace, likely in anticipation of punitive action from India.
The Indian government is also reportedly deliberating a ban on Pakistani ships docking at Indian ports, a move that could disrupt trade logistics and further strain bilateral ties.
These discussions come in the backdrop of Pakistan’s recent decision to close its own airspace to Indian carriers, a tit-for-tat response after India’s stern warnings about Pakistan’s continued support to cross-border terrorism.
The Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 shocked the nation, with heavily armed militants opening fire in the popular tourist destination of Baisaran Valley. The attack resulted in the deaths of 26 people, including several holidaying families.
India has accused Pakistan of sheltering and facilitating the attackers, claiming cross-border linkages to the incident. New Delhi has since intensified diplomatic pressure on Islamabad and warned of calibrated retaliation.
While there is no official confirmation on when the airspace or port bans will be enforced, officials suggest decisions could be announced soon, depending on further provocations or developments.
Experts suggest these measures are intended to exert economic and logistical pressure on Pakistan without escalating into direct military conflict.
“India is signalling its strategic patience has limits,” said a senior analyst at a Delhi-based think tank. “This is coercive diplomacy at work.”
