PIB debunks fake claim of Delhi-Mumbai flight route closure amid border tensions

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The Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fact Check unit has refuted claims that the Delhi-Mumbai airline route is temporarily closed, according to a report by news agency ANI.

According to ANI, taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the PIB labelled the claim as "fake" and clarified that the Delhi-Mumbai airline route remains operational. Instead, it noted that the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has extended the temporary closure of 25 Air Traffic Service (ATS) route segments within the Delhi and Mumbai Flight Information Regions due to operational reasons.

"It is being claimed that there is a temporary closure of services on the Delhi-Mumbai airline route. This claim is fake," the PIB stated. "The Airports Authority of India has extended the temporary closure of 25 segments of Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes within the Delhi & Mumbai Flight Information Regions due to operational reasons," the post added, reported ANI.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence reported that drones have been sighted at 26 locations along the International Border and Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan. These sightings include suspected armed drones in sensitive regions such as Baramulla, Srinagar, Avantipora, Nagrota, Jammu, Ferozpur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Lalgarh Jatta, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bhuj, Kuarbet, and Lakhi Nala, reported ANI.

A particularly concerning incident occurred in Ferozpur, where an armed drone targeted a civilian area, resulting in injuries to a local family. The injured individuals have received medical attention, and the area has been sanitised by security personnel.

In response, the Indian Armed Forces have heightened their alert level, actively tracking and engaging aerial threats using counter-drone systems. The Defence Ministry emphasized that while there is no immediate cause for panic, citizens, especially those in border areas, should stay indoors, avoid unnecessary movement, and follow all safety advisories issued by local authorities, reported ANI.

In a significant escalation of tensions, sources told ANI that India carried out retaliatory strikes on at least four Pakistani air bases early Saturday morning. The strikes followed Pakistan's coordinated attacks on 26 locations across India, also on Saturday. Reports suggest that intermittent cross-border firing is still ongoing in several areas along the LoC.

(With inputs from ANI)