Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated, with India accusing Pakistan of using commercial flights as a shield during a recent aerial assault. The accusation follows an unprovoked drone and missile attack on May 7th, targeting multiple Indian cities.

Wing Commander Vyomika Singh addressed the media, stating that Pakistan deliberately kept its civilian airspace open during the attack, with the knowledge that India would respond. This, according to Singh, was a calculated move to use commercial airliners as shields against potential Indian retaliation.

India has strongly condemned Pakistan's actions, calling them reckless and irresponsible, and stressing that the lives of innocent passengers aboard international carriers were needlessly put at risk. India asserts that Pakistan's decision endangered both domestic and international flights operating near the International Border (IB), particularly in the Punjab sector.

In contrast to Pakistan's actions, India claims to have immediately closed its own airspace in the affected regions. The Indian Air Force (IAF) presented radar data purportedly showing active civil aviation traffic over Pakistan while India's airspace was cleared. According to Wing Commander Singh, data from FlightRadar24 indicated that civilian aircraft continued to fly between Karachi and Lahore even as hostilities escalated.

Furthermore, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has criticized Pakistan's response to the accusations as "farcical," particularly Pakistan's denial of launching drone and missile attacks. Misri also refuted Pakistan's claims that India was staging attacks on Poonch and Amritsar, dismissing them as a "deranged statement". In addition to the airspace allegations, India has accused Pakistan of targeting places of worship, citing a shelling incident on Wednesday where two students at the Christ School in Poonch were killed.

Adding to the complexity of the situation, India has also accused Pakistan of employing Turkish-made drones in attacks. The Independent reports that India and Pakistan both claim to have shot down dozens of drones amidst the escalating conflict. The ongoing tensions have led to a state of high alert in the Indian capital, New Delhi, and the cancellation of the Indian Premier League for one week. Two dozen airports in India have also been shut down.