(Image source from: Fortuneindia)
IndiGo and Air India have both declared the cancellation of their flights operating to and from Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Chandigarh, and three additional border cities for today. Air India confirmed that it has suspended round-trip flights to and from Jammu, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot. Similarly, IndiGo has also halted its flights to and from Jammu, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Leh, Srinagar, and Rajkot. Air India communicated via X, stating, "Due to recent developments and with your safety as a primary concern, flights to and from Jammu, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot have been cancelled for Tuesday, May 13. We are closely observing the situation and will provide updates." IndiGo reiterated that the decision was made considering the "latest developments and prioritizing your safety."
The airline expressed understanding about the potential disruption to travel plans, apologizing for the inconvenience caused. They assured that their teams are actively assessing the situation and will keep passengers informed of any new information. The airports mentioned had been reopened for civilian flights on Monday following a temporary closure due to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) announced the resumption of civilian flight activities at 32 airports that had been shut down the previous week, with operations expected to continue until May 15. Other airports returning to civilian service included Adhampur, Ambala, Awantipur, Bathinda, Bikaner, Halwara, Hindon, Jaisalmer, Kandla, Kangra (Gaggal), Keshod, Kishangarh, Kullu Manali (Bhuntar), Ludhiana, Mundra, Naliya, Pathankot, Patiala, Porbandar, Sarsawa, Shimla, Thoise, and Uttarlai.
This announcement followed a ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan two days prior. Relations between the nations had been strained after a deadly terrorist incident in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22. After discovering cross-border connections to the attack that resulted in 26 fatalities, India initiated Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting nine terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). During these operations, numerous camps belonging to groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen were destroyed, with over 100 terrorists reported killed. Following India's military actions overnight, the Pakistani Army responded by deploying drones and missiles toward western India, which were effectively intercepted.
Subsequently, India struck specific military objectives deep within Pakistani territory, targeting radar systems, command centers, and ammunition storage sites in locations such as Rafiqui, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, and Sialkot, among others. Both nations reached a ceasefire arrangement on Saturday to immediately cease hostilities.
