Act of war: Pakistan closes airspace to Indian airlines, suspends all trade

TDT | Manama

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Pakistan announced a series of retaliatory measures on Thursday in response to India's accusations of Islamabad's involvement in cross-border terrorism following a deadly attack on Indian tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir.

The Pakistani government declared the closure of its airspace to all Indian-owned or Indian-operated airlines and shut the Wagah border crossing with India. These actions come just hours after India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, downgraded diplomatic relations, and revoked all visa privileges for Pakistani nationals — with the exception of a few humanitarian and religious cases.

The developments followed a brutal assault earlier this week that left 26 Indian nationals dead in Indian-administered Kashmir, prompting a sharp response from New Delhi, which has accused Pakistan of harboring and supporting militant networks.

In response, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convened a rare meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) in Islamabad, attended by top civilian and military officials, including Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir.

“Any threat to Pakistan’s sovereignty and the security of its people will be met with firm reciprocal measures in all domains,” a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office declared following the NSC meeting.

Pakistan’s retaliatory steps included the expulsion of Indian diplomats, the cancellation of visas for Indian nationals — except for Sikh pilgrims — and the declaration of Indian military advisers as persona non grata, with instructions to leave the country immediately.

Further intensifying the standoff, Pakistan warned that any Indian move to block or divert water from the Indus River would be considered an “act of war”, promising a full-spectrum response.

“All cross-border transit from India through the Wagah route shall be suspended, without exception,” the statement added. “All trade with India, including via any third country, is suspended with immediate effect.”

As the two nuclear-armed neighbors exchange diplomatic and strategic blows, regional observers have expressed concern over the rapidly escalating tensions and their potential implications for stability in South Asia.