In the wake of a recent escalation in tensions, the Indian government has accused Pakistan of endangering civilian lives by using commercial airliners as shields during an aerial attack. According to reports, Pakistan deliberately kept its airspace open to civilian traffic while launching drones and missiles into Indian territory on Thursday evening.
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh addressed the media, stating that Pakistan initiated an "unprovoked aerial assault" on May 7th, targeting India with drones and missiles. Despite this aggression, Pakistan did not close its civilian airspace, a move India has condemned as a calculated tactic. By keeping air routes open, Pakistan allegedly aimed to deter a potential counterstrike from India, using passenger planes as a buffer.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) presented radar data purportedly showing active civil aviation traffic over Pakistan, specifically between Karachi and Lahore, even as the attack was underway. This contrasted sharply with India's decision to immediately close its own airspace in the affected regions to ensure safety. According to Wing Commander Singh, the screenshot sourced from FlightRadar24, showed that while India's airspace was cleared, civilian aircraft continued to fly between Karachi and Lahore, even as hostilities escalated.
India has strongly condemned Pakistan's actions, calling them "reckless and irresponsible". Indian officials emphasized that the lives of innocent passengers aboard both domestic and international flights were needlessly put at risk. The government has asserted that Pakistan's actions constitute a violation of international norms and a serious threat to civil aviation safety.
Despite the provocation, the IAF stated that it exercised "considerable restraint" in its response to avoid endangering civilian flights in Pakistani airspace. This decision highlights the delicate balance India had to strike between defending its territory and ensuring the safety of civilian lives.
Reports indicate that Pakistan employed 300-400 drones in the attack, targeting 36 sites within India. The attacks, which occurred on the night of Thursday and Friday, were reportedly "effectively repulsed" by the Indian Army. While details of the targets are still emerging, the Indian government has characterized the attack as a failed attempt to target military infrastructure.
The incident has further strained relations between the two countries, with India vowing to take all necessary measures to safeguard its security. The accusations of using civilian aircraft as shields have added a new dimension to the conflict, raising serious questions about Pakistan's adherence to international law and its responsibility towards civilian lives.
