New Delhi: India has extended the ban on Pakistani aircraft from entering its airspace until August 23, amid heightened strategic and security concerns.
The decision was formally announced by Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, who confirmed that a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) has been issued, continuing restrictions on Pakistani air traffic over Indian territory.
The minister said the extension is aligned with prevailing security protocols and reflects ongoing strategic considerations. The move comes as a reciprocal response to Pakistan’s earlier step of extending its own ban on Indian commercial flights until August 24.
Simultaneously, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has issued a NOTAM for a major military exercise scheduled between July 23 and 25 in Rajasthan, covering areas from Barmer to Jodhpur, close to the India-Pakistan border.
The drill gains significance as these regions—Barmer, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, and Sri Ganganagar—were targeted during Pakistan’s Operation Sindoor, which saw drone and missile intrusions into Indian territory.
The airspace restrictions and the IAF readiness drill underscore heightened vigilance along the western border, with officials treating the situation with continued caution in light of Pakistan’s recent provocations and cross-border threats.
