Pakistan expands airspace restrictions ahead of Indian tri-services exercise

Pakistan has significantly expanded its airspace restrictions through a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), covering a larger portion of its airspace, ahead of a major Indian tri-services exercise scheduled in Rajasthan and Gujarat from October 30 to November 11.

The expanded NOTAM builds upon an earlier notice and now restricts flights over most of Pakistani airspace due to planned military exercises. The move comes in the wake of a recent visit by the Pakistani Navy Chief to the Sir Creek area over the weekend, where he inspected troops and assessed operational preparedness, The Economic Times reports.

India has planned a major tri-services exercise across Rajasthan and Gujarat, prompting heightened vigilance from Pakistan in the region. Earlier this month, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited soldiers in the Sir Creek area.

Earlier this month, Pakistan extended a ban on Indian planes flying in its airspace until November 23. The ban was imposed on April 24 following the Pahalgam terrorist attack two days earlier in the Jammu and Kashmir territory, where 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali were killed.

India has a similar ban on Pakistani civilian aircraft.

By Vafa Guliyeva