On May 8, a significant explosion was reported in Lahore, following a series of precision strikes by the Indian Army on various locations in both Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. In response, the Pakistan Airports Authority temporarily halted flight operations at airports in Karachi, Lahore, and Sialkot. The airports in Lahore and Sialkot will remain closed to all flights until 12 PM on Thursday, disrupting both domestic and international flight schedules, according to Aaj News.
Travelers have been advised to contact their airlines for the latest updates regarding flight schedules and potential delays. This development follows the Indian Army’s targeted strikes, which dismantled nine terrorist bases linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen as part of ‘Operation Sindoor’ across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The Indian Air Force conducted strikes on four locations within Pakistan, with an additional five sites targeted in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The defense ministry described the operation as “focused, measured, and non-escalatory,” deliberately avoiding Pakistani military targets.
‘Operation Sindoor’ was a joint initiative involving the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The defense ministry stated that the operation aimed solely at dismantling terrorist infrastructure, without threatening Pakistan’s military facilities. This military action was a response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in 26 deaths. The Indian government emphasized its right to confront cross-border terrorism and address emerging threats.
During a press briefing, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri highlighted the connections between Pakistan and terrorist organizations, citing the Pahalgam attack as an example. Misri noted, “As you are aware, on April 22, a terrorist trained in Pakistan, affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba, perpetrated a horrific attack on tourists in Pahalgam, resulting in the deaths of twenty-five Indians and one Nepali citizen.” He added that this incident was the most severe since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, as it directly targeted civilians.
