India-Pakistan Tensions Soar: 32 Airports Shut for Civilian Flights Until May 15

India-Pakistan Tensions Soar: 32 Airports Shut for Civilian Flights Until May 15
India has imposed stringent security measures, closing 32 airports across northern and western states for civilian flights until 5:29 AM IST on May 15, 2025, as India-Pakistan tensions escalate following Operation Sindoor. Pakistan’s aggressive drone attacks and shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) have triggered this unprecedented response, disrupting air travel and heightening national vigilance.

Widespread Airport Shutdowns
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) announced the closure of airports in cities like Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Jodhpur, Bhuj, and Leh, expanding from an initial 24 to 32 due to Pakistan’s persistent aerial threats. This affects over 1,500 daily flights, with airlines like SpiceJet and Vistara halting operations and issuing refunds. Posts on X highlight traveler frustration, with cancellations impacting tourism and business in Punjab, Rajasthan, and Jammu and Kashmir. The closures follow Pakistan’s failed drone and missile strikes on 26 Indian sites, all neutralized by India’s S-400 system.

Intensified Border Hostilities
Operation Sindoor’s strikes on Pakistani terror camps on May 7 prompted Pakistan’s retaliation, including heavy firing in Poonch and Kupwara and alleged attacks on Pathankot’s BrahMos facility. India’s counterstrikes on Pakistan’s airbases, such as Rafiqui and Noor Khan, have crippled its air force, escalating the conflict. Over 12,000 residents have been evacuated from Jammu’s border villages, and blackouts persist in Gurdaspur, as reported on X, reflecting the crisis’s severity.

Security and Operational Measures
The Indian Air Force and Border Security Force (BSF) are on high alert, with airports under restricted military use. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security has enforced mandatory baggage checks and banned terminal visitors. Air Traffic Service routes in northern India are rerouted, delaying international flights. The Navy has also tightened Maharashtra-Gujarat maritime borders, ensuring a multi-front defense strategy.

Economic and Diplomatic Fallout
The aviation shutdown is costing India’s economy ₹600 crore daily, with global airlines rerouting to avoid Pakistani airspace. The UN and US call for de-escalation, but Pakistan’s continued LoC violations strain diplomacy. India’s unified response, backed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s military reviews, ensures robust protection, as public sentiment on X demands strong action against Pakistan’s provocations.