The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) announced on Thursday the temporary suspension of flight operations at major airports across the country, citing operational reasons amid heightened tensions with India.

The suspension affects Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore, Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, Islamabad International Airport, and Sialkot International Airport, with no resumption timeline provided.

The PCAA stated that air routes are currently unavailable for commercial flights and urged passengers to contact their airlines for updates. The decision follows a series of violent incidents, including a blast at a military compound in Lahore on Thursday morning that injured four people, according to official sources.

Further escalating tensions, Pakistani authorities reported that two people were injured when an Indian drone crashed near a gas well in southern Sindh province on Thursday. The same day, Pakistani forces shot down drones in the Lahore and Chakwal districts of Punjab province.

The violence comes on the heels of a deadly Indian attack on Pakistani territory, which, along with subsequent cross-border firing along the Line of Control (LoC) in the disputed Kashmir region, killed at least 31 civilians and injured 57 others, a spokesperson for the Pakistani army’s media wing reported on Wednesday.

As the situation remains volatile, authorities are on high alert, and the suspension of flight operations underscores the growing security concerns gripping the region. Passengers are advised to monitor airline announcements for further developments. (ILKHA)