As India continued to intercept missiles fired from Pakistan targeting multiple towns in Jammu on Thursday night, the Civil Aviation Ministry notified that at least 24 airports across northern India has suspended civilian operations until further notice. The move comes as part of precautionary measures under Operation Sindoor, under which armed forces carried out strikes on terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on Wednesday in retaliation against the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people last month.
The notice was issued after Pakistan launched a series of drone and missile attacks targeting multiple locations across Jammu, as well as parts of Punjab and Rajasthan. From late Wednesday evening, Jammu witnessed a complete blackout, with reports of citizens witnessing missile streaks in the sky.
“Complete blackout in Jammu. Loud explosions — bombing, shelling, or missile strikes suspected. Fret not — Mata Vishnu Devi is with us, and so are valiant Indian Armed Forces,” said Shesh Paul Vaid, former Director General of Police, Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the notification issued by the Civil Aviation Ministry, the following airports in India are closed for civilian travel until further notice:
Chandigarh
Srinagar
Amritsar
Ludhiana
Bhunter
Kishengarh
Patiala
Shimla
Kangra-Gaggal
Bhatinda
Jaisalmer
Jodhpur
Bikaner
Halwara
Pathankot
Jammu
Leh
Mundra
Jamnagar
Hirasar (Rajkot)
Porbandar
Keshod
Kandla
Bhuj
The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) banned entry of visitors to the terminal building of airports and also made secondary ladder point checking compulsory for all flights as part of enhanced security arrangements.
“In view of the recent attack in Pahalgam and subsequent surcharged security scenario, it is necessary to enhance security measures at all the civil aviation installations like airports, airstrips, airfields, air force stations, helipads, flying schools, aviation training institutes… so that no untoward incident takes place in the country,” BCAS said in an advisory.
As part of stepping up security arrangements, the agency has made Secondary Ladder Point Checking (SLPC) compulsory for all flights at all airports.
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Generally, it refers to checking passengers and their hand baggage just before boarding a flight. This is in addition to the primary security checks.
The entry of visitors to the terminal building of the airports and sale of visitor entry tickets has also been banned. Ensuring 100 per cent serviceability of all CCTVs at airports and “deployment of in-flight security officers in flights based on prioritisation/randomisation” are among the other directions.
Around 160 domestic IndiGo flights had been cancelled as of Wednesday morning, an official was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
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