VINOD BHAT
NEW DELHI, July 23: The Government of India has officially extended the closure of Indian airspace to Pakistani aircraft until August 23, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol announced on Tuesday. The decision comes amid continued strategic and security concerns following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam earlier this year.
The extension was communicated through an updated Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), which bars all Pakistan-registered aircraft, including those operated, owned, or leased by Pakistani airlines and military operators, from entering Indian airspace. The latest NOTAM replaces the previous one that was set to expire on July 24.
“This extension reflects continued strategic considerations and is in line with prevailing security protocols. Stay tuned for further updates,” said Minister Mohol in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
India had initially imposed the airspace ban on April 30 following the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack, which killed 26 people, including one foreign national. The massacre, believed to have been orchestrated with cross-border support, triggered a strong retaliatory response from New Delhi, including suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, downgrading of diplomatic ties, and closure of the Attari land crossing — the only operational road link between the two nations.
A day after the attack, India launched Operation Sindoor, a series of precision strikes aimed at terrorist infrastructure across the Line of Control. The operation has been hailed by officials as a major counter-terror success and has further strained Indo-Pak ties.
According to sources, a comprehensive 16-hour discussion on Operation Sindoor is scheduled to take place in Parliament during the ongoing Monsoon Session. However, the final timing of the debate is yet to be confirmed, pending consensus among parties.
Opposition leaders have demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi be present during the discussion. But with the PM scheduled to travel to the United Kingdom and the Maldives from July 23 to 26, the debate is now likely to be held next week.
Meanwhile, several opposition MPs have submitted adjournment motions seeking a detailed discussion on the Pahalgam attack and India’s subsequent response through Operation Sindoor.
