Category: Exclusive

Following the precision airstrikes carried out by the Indian Armed Forces under Operation Sindoor on May 6, a significant ripple effect has been seen in India’s civil aviation sector. As a precautionary measure amid heightened security concerns, 18 airports in northern and western India have been temporarily shut down, resulting in widespread travel disruptions. The affected airports include Srinagar, Leh, Jammu, Amritsar, Pathankot, Chandigarh, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Shimla, Dharamshala, Jamnagar, Bhuj, Rajkot, and Gwalior, among others. The move has forced airlines to cancel or reroute over 200 flights, including both domestic and international operations. Air India posted an advisory on its official X handle, confirming the cancellation of all flights to and from several key airports until 12 noon on May 7, pending further updates. The national carrier also reported diverting two international flights bound for Amritsar to Delhi due to sudden airspace restrictions. IndiGo Airlines similarly informed passengers that services to and from Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh, and Dharamshala were impacted and urged flyers to verify flight statuses before heading to airports. SpiceJet, Alliance Air, Akasa Air, and Air India Express issued travel advisories, offering free rescheduling or full refunds on affected routes. Air India Express extended its waiver policy until 05:30 AM on May 10, 2025, for passengers flying to and from several northern stations. The shutdown comes amid concerns over potential escalation following India’s targeting of nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. With airspace conditions under continuous review, airlines and authorities are working to ensure passenger safety while managing operational challenges. Travelers across the impacted regions are advised to remain updated through airline websites, official advisories, and social media channels before planning any travel.

In a bold response to the recent Pahalgam terror attack, India launched Operation Sindoor in the early hours of Wednesday, targeting nine key terrorist infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The strikes, which took place between 1:05 am and 1:30 am, successfully hit the headquarters and camps of terror outfits Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Muhammad, according to Indian officials. Colonel Sophiya Qureshi stated that the operation was a message of justice for the victims of the Pahalgam attack and their families. “Nine terrorist camps were targeted and successfully destroyed,” she announced, emphasizing the precision and planning behind the mission. During a detailed briefing with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Col Qureshi, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh highlighted the use of advanced “niche technology weapons” and “carefully selected warheads” to avoid collateral damage. “Each strike was carried out with clinical efficiency, neutralizing specific buildings or clusters without affecting nearby civilian areas,” she added. She also made it clear that no Pakistani military installations were hit and that India had shown “considerable restraint” in its response. Footage and detailed maps presented during the briefing provided visual confirmation of the destroyed terror camps. Col Qureshi further explained that the targets were chosen based on credible intelligence linking them to terrorist activities, with utmost care taken to prevent civilian casualties. Outlining the broader context, Col Qureshi described the extensive terror infrastructure developed by Pakistan over the past three decades. These include recruitment centres, training camps, and launch pads for terror operations across both Pakistan and PoK. Foreign Secretary Misri underscored that the Pahalgam terror attack investigation revealed direct communication links between the attackers and handlers in Pakistan. “The claims made by The Resistance Front, reposted by Lashkar-e-Taiba-linked social media handles, and the identification of the attackers based on eyewitness and intelligence inputs have all pointed to a well-planned cross-border conspiracy,” he said. Operation Sindoor marks a significant escalation in India’s counter-terror response while reiterating its commitment to precise and restrained military action.

In a significant breakthrough, security forces on Monday recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition from a destroyed terrorist hideout in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, just days after the devastating terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives. According to official sources, a joint operation involving the Army, J&K Police, and the Special Operations Group (SOG) led to the discovery of five ready-to-use IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices), wireless communication sets, and clothing from the remote hideout. The IEDs, ranging from 0.5 kg to 5 kg, were found concealed in steel buckets and tiffin boxes, a common tactic used to avoid detection. The devices were safely destroyed in a controlled explosion, effectively thwarting a potential series of attacks aimed at destabilizing the region, particularly the sensitive border district of Poonch. This operation comes as part of a larger security clampdown across Jammu and Kashmir, following the April 22 attack in Pahalgam. On Sunday, IGP Kashmir VK Birdi chaired a high-level joint review meeting involving top brass from the police, Army, intelligence agencies, and CAPFs. The meeting assessed existing threats and emerging challenges in the Valley’s security landscape. In response to the attack, India has taken a firm stance against Pakistan, believed to be backing proxy terror groups. Measures announced include: Additionally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has granted operational freedom to the armed forces, signaling a strong retaliatory approach in the days ahead. Security has been intensified throughout the Union Territory, with new checkpoints, the deployment of Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs), and heightened surveillance at hotels, highways, tourist spots, and key installations, aiming to preempt any further attacks.