In a significant escalation of regional tensions, the Indian government has accused Pakistan of deliberately keeping its airspace open during a recent aerial assault, thereby using civilian flights as "shields" to deter Indian retaliation. This strategy, according to Indian officials, endangered the lives of passengers aboard numerous international flights traversing Pakistani airspace during the conflict.
The incident unfolded amid heightened hostilities between the two nations, following India's military strikes on alleged terrorist infrastructure in Pakistani Kashmir. In response, Pakistan claimed to have shot down several Indian jets. During this period, Pakistan's decision to keep its airspace open, despite active military operations, raised serious concerns. Flight tracking data revealed that approximately 57 international flights were present in Pakistani airspace at the time, including those operated by major Gulf carriers.
India's allegations suggest that Pakistan's move was a calculated effort to complicate India's military response by increasing the risk of collateral damage to civilian aircraft. This tactic has drawn international scrutiny, with aviation experts and global authorities expressing alarm over the potential risks to civilian aviation safety.
