India closes its airspace to all Pakistan aircraft till May 23

New Delhi: India on Wednesday closed its airspace to all aircraft leased, registered or operated by Pakistan, in further escalation of the tension between the two neighbours in the backdrop of the April 22 Pahalgam terror strike.

The closure, covering both commercial airlines and military flights of the neighbouring nation, would be effective from April 30 to May 23, as per a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by New Delhi.

"Indian airspace not avbl for Pakistan registered ACFT and ACFT operated/owned or leased by Pakistan Airlines/operators including military flights," read the NOTAM The move came six days after Pakistan announced its decision to close its airspace to Indian aircraft.

On April 22, 26 people - most of them tourists - were gunned down by terrorists in Baisaran valley of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir.

Following the gruesome incident, India and Pakistan have held in abeyance vital treaties, downscaled diplomatic missions and deported each others' citizens.