Pakistan has officially shut down its airspace and suspended all flight operations following missile strikes on three strategic air bases late Friday night. The attacks targeted Nur Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi, PAF Rafiqui Air Base in Shorkot, and PAF Murid Air Base in Chakwal, further intensifying tensions between Pakistan and neighboring India.
The missile strikes are believed to be part of a retaliatory offensive by India in response to recent ceasefire violations and alleged attacks on Indian territory. Intelligence sources from Indian media indicate that India launched the strikes after Pakistan reportedly carried out missile and drone attacks earlier in the week, leading to India shutting down 24 airports across its northern region on May 8.
The Nur Khan Air Base, located near Islamabad, serves as a vital command center for air defense and transport operations. PAF Rafiqui hosts advanced fighter squadrons, including the JF-17 Thunder and Mirage aircraft. Additionally, the Murid Air Base has increasingly played a role in enhancing Pakistan’s drone warfare capabilities.
While the Pakistan Army has confirmed the missile strikes, it stated that its air defense units intercepted most of the missiles, which minimized structural damage. However, the attacks have resulted in immediate operational disruptions in aviation. Major international airlines, including British Airways, Lufthansa, and Emirates, have begun rerouting flights to avoid Pakistani airspace, leading to longer travel times and increased fuel costs for airlines and passengers alike.
This surge in hostilities comes on the heels of a deadly terrorist attack in Kashmir the previous month, which claimed the lives of several Indian tourists. India accused Pakistan of harboring terrorist groups linked to the incident, a claim that Islamabad has consistently denied. This has reignited long-standing disputes over Kashmir, a territory that has remained a flashpoint between the two nuclear-armed nations for decades.
In light of the escalating situation, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for restraint from both sides, emphasizing that the situation could “easily spin out of control” if not de-escalated. Heightened security measures have been implemented in major cities across both countries, particularly following reports of a new attack in Jammu on May 9.
As both nations remain on high alert and engage in a cycle of military retaliation, the international community is expressing growing concern over the risk of a broader conflict in South Asia.
