Janhit: How Pakistan’s Airspace Denial Forced Emergency Landing of Indigo Flight to Srinagar

On Wednesday evening, an Indigo flight took off from Delhi to Srinagar carrying 227 passengers. Shortly after leaving Amritsar, the plane encountered severe turbulence while flying through Punjab’s skies. The pilot’s request to use Pakistan’s airspace to avoid bad weather was denied by Pakistan, forcing the flight to proceed through a risky route. As the plane neared Pathankot, it experienced violent air disturbances. Demonstrating exceptional skill and calmness, the pilot managed an emergency landing at Srinagar airport. Although the aircraft sustained significant damage to its front section, all passengers—including children—were safely evacuated. Passengers recorded videos capturing the terrifying moments inside the aircraft, with many praying and shouting during the turbulent flight. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a thorough investigation. Meanwhile, officials praised the crew’s composed response under extreme weather conditions. This incident occurred amidst heightened India-Pakistan tensions following Operation Sindoor and cross-border strikes. Pakistan’s refusal to grant airspace access and its hostile actions, including drone attacks on Indian civilian flights, highlight the ongoing conflict’s impact on civilian safety. Both countries have now closed their shared airspace until June 23. This event underscores the stark difference in handling civilian safety between India and Pakistan amid their geopolitical disputes.