India
The move to close the five airports came amid escalation of tension between India and Pakistan after IAF carried out strikes on terror bases in Pakistan
New Delhi: Jammu and Leh airports were among five airports that were shut down indefinitely on Wednesday for civilian air traffic shortly after an IAF jet crashed in Kashmir's Budgam district.
Airports at Chandigarh and Amritsar were among those closed, according to airline officials.
The move to close the five airports came amid escalation of tension between India and Pakistan after IAF carried out strikes on terror bases in Pakistan.
International flights that transit between Indian and Pakistani airspace now being affected. Some flights returning to origin, while others appear to be seeking alternate routing. https://t.co/sXbkX0qrGI pic.twitter.com/tojnJCii4w
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24)In Srinagar, an official of the Airports Authority of India told PTI, "The civilian air traffic has been suspended temporarily in view of the emergency".
While the official did not specify the nature of the emergency, it is believed the step was taken in view of an IAF jet crashing in Budgam district this morning.
. Due to airspace restrictions, flights to and from Amritsar, Srinagar, Chandigarh and Jammu are currently on hold. Customers are requested to check flight status before commencing their journey to the airport. (1/2)
— Vistara (@airvistara)Private carrier Vistara said it has put all flights to and from Amritsar, Srinagar, Chandigarh and Jammu on hold.
Officials said they received instructions from air traffic controllers that the airports have been shut for civilian flights.
Punjab: Passengers stranded as flight operations at Amritsar airport have been suspended. pic.twitter.com/fQEtEEqZZh
— ANI (@ANI)Some of the flights en route to Jammu, Leh and Srinagar airports have been diverted to their origin stations, they added.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has also stopped its domestic and international flight operations from Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Sialkot and Islamabad airports.
The flare up in the cross-LoC shelling, which was initiated by Pakistani troops in early hours of Wednesday, has also resulted in security forces and other establishments being put on a heightened alert.
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