Pakistan used civilian flights shield: Govt |In a scathing revelation, the Indian government on Friday accused Pakistan of endangering civilian lives by using commercial airliners as shields during its latest wave of drone and missile attacks on Indian military installations in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab. India backed its claims with real-time data from FlightRadar24, a global flight-tracking platform.
The attacks, which took place late Thursday night, targeted Jammu, Pathankot, and Udhampur, but were thwarted by India’s integrated air defence systems, according to the Defence Ministry.
During a joint media briefing, Colonel Sofia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh presented screenshots from FlightRadar24, showing active civilian air traffic in Pakistani airspace — including commercial routes between Karachi and Lahore — during the time of the attack.
“While India had declared its airspace closed to civilian flights as a precaution, Pakistan made no such declaration and knowingly allowed civilian aircraft to fly dangerously close to the conflict zone,” said Wing Commander Singh.
She further added, “Pakistan launched an attack on India despite knowing that it could trigger an immediate and powerful air defence response, which puts international and domestic passenger flights at grave risk. This is an irresponsible and reckless act.”
Pakistan Accused of Violating International Norms
India’s statement has raised serious questions about Pakistan’s adherence to international aviation protocols. Using civilian airliners as protective shields during military operations is not only a violation of the Geneva Conventions, but also a breach of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety guidelines.
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FlightRadar24 data showed multiple civilian aircraft, including international carriers, flying near the India-Pakistan International Border at the time drones and missiles were launched from Pakistan.
The Indian Air Force reportedly intercepted most of these threats before they could reach strategic targets. L-70 guns, Schilka systems, and Israeli-origin C-UAS technology were used to neutralize over 50 incoming drones, securing Indian airspace along a 1,800-km frontier.
India’s Retaliatory Strike: A Targeted and Restrained Response
In retaliation, India launched armed drones at four key air defence positions inside Pakistan, successfully destroying at least one radar installation, according to defence officials. However, officials emphasised that the Indian Air Force exercised restraint to avoid civilian casualties, especially considering the proximity of commercial aircraft to potential conflict zones.
“The Indian response was sharp, accurate, and proportionate. We ensured minimal collateral damage,” a senior government source told India Today TV, confirming that Pakistan’s AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft was shot down inside Pakistan’s Punjab province.
Global Aviation Safety in Focus
This incident has raised alarm among aviation experts and international airlines flying over the volatile South Asian air corridor, one of the busiest in the world. Civil aviation watchdogs are expected to take up the matter in upcoming ICAO sessions.
The Indian government is also expected to raise the issue in diplomatic forums, highlighting Pakistan’s deliberate endangerment of civilian lives during active military operations.
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The attack is widely seen as part of Pakistan’s retaliatory efforts following India’s Operation Sindoor, which struck nine terror hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 8, in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives.
India’s Defence Ministry said the country remains “alert and prepared to defend every inch of its airspace and territory,” while condemning Pakistan’s tactics as both provocative and unethical.
