KARACHI, May 07, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has
canceled all flights for the next 12 hours, a spokesperson announced on
Wednesday, as tensions escalated sharply with neighboring India
following missile strikes.
The move comes as Pakistan’s military said at least 26 civilians had
been killed and 46 injured in Indian attacks on six locations inside
Pakistani territory.
India said its forces had launched “Operation Sindoor,” targeting sites
it claimed were linked to a recent attack on tourists in
Indian-administered Kashmir which it blamed on Pakistan despite
Islamabad’s repeated denials.
Information Minister, Attaullah Tarar, said the Pakistani military had
downed five Indian jets in retaliation for the late-night strikes. “PIA
has currently canceled flights for next 12 hours. Passengers are
requested to keep in contact with PIA,” Abdullah Khan, the PIA
spokesperson, said.
He added that flights already airborne had been diverted to Karachi
while all ground operations were put on hold.
Despite the cancelations, a source within the Pakistan Airport Authority
(PAA) told Arab News the country’s airspace remained open.
“The latest NOTAM cancels previous NOTAM which has closed airspace,” the
source said, sharing the latest Notice to Airmen