‘Promise Us There Won’t Be Any Balakot Like Airstrike’: Pakistan Seeks India’s Assurance Before Opening Airspace

The Pakistan government would decide on opening its Eastern airspace for flights to and from India only if it is promised that there won’t be any Indian Air Force (IAF) led Balakot like air strike in its territory in the future, Times of India has reported.

The eastern airspace was first shut by Pakistan on 26 February, immediately after IAF’s air strike in Balakot, in which 200-300 Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists are said to have been eliminated.

The Pakistan aviation authorities have subsequently been extending the ban on the Eastern airspace and the latest order extends it till 28 June. It has repeatedly cited “security and diplomatic” reasons for the closure. Other air spaces over the country were opened on 27 March.

The report claims that the closure may extend further for India until Pakistan receives an assurance that there won’t be any air strikes in the future. The issue is likely to be resolved after top level discussions between Islamabad and New Delhi, whenever they happen.