PIA cancels flights to Northern areas due to airspace closure

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Wednesday cancelled its flights to Northern areas following the closure of airspace by Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

“As per directives of CAA, the airspace over Northern areas will remain closed on Wednesday, September 21. Inconvenience regretted,” PIA spokesperson Danyal Gilani announced on Twitter.

Due 2 northern areas airspace restrictions PIA’s 21st Sep’s flights to Gilgit, Skardu & Chitral ve been cancelled. Inconvenience regretted.

— Danyal Gilani (@Danyal_Gilani) September 20, 2016

Although the reason behind the suspension of flights was not disclosed, reports suggest Pakistan’s warplanes are engaged in a takeoff and landing rehearsal amid threats from India following an attack on its Srinagar military base.

Eighteen Indian soldiers were killed by four militants in the attack on an Army Brigade Headquarters in the Uri area near the Line of Control (LoC) Sunday morning. The assault was among the deadliest in held Kashmir and has sharply ratcheted up tension between the nuclear-armed rivals.

READ MORE: India prepares to attack under Cold Start doctrine, Pakistan ready to react

Earlier on Monday, Indian army reportedly requested the Modi government to consider “limited but punitive” cross-border strikes to send a message to Pakistan, which it holds responsible for the attack.

Flights cancelled

PK 451 Islamabad – Skardu and PK 452 Skardu – Islamabad
PK 605 Islamabad – Gilgit and PK 606 Gilgit – Islamabad
PK 607 Islamabad – Gilgit and PK 608 Gilgit – Islamabad
PK 609 Islamabad – Gilgit and PK 610 Gilgit – Islamabad
PK 660 Islamabad – Chitral – Peshawar and PK 661 Peshawar – Chitral – Islamabad