Fri May 09 17:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Pakistan Used Civilian Flights as Shields During Cross-Border Attacks: India
**New Delhi, [Date]** – India’s Air Force has accused Pakistan of using civilian air traffic as a shield during a series of cross-border drone and missile attacks on May 7-8. Wing Commander Vyomika Singh stated that over 104 passenger flights operated through Pakistani airspace between 8:30 PM on May 7 and 11:59 PM on May 8, even after the attacks commenced. This, she alleges, constitutes a deliberate act, exploiting the potential for immediate Indian retaliation to protect its own assets.
According to flight data analysis, at least 104 scheduled commercial flights took off from or landed at Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi airports during the period of heightened conflict. This included 39 flights operated by international airlines such as Etihad, Emirates, Flynas, Qatar Airways, Air Arabia, Gulf Air, and Jazeera Airways. The airports’ proximity to the international border (Islamabad 133km from PoK, Lahore 17km, Karachi 173km) further underscores the risk, the Air Force claims.
India preemptively closed its airspace for security reasons, ensuring no Indian civilian flights were in the affected zone, Wing Commander Singh explained. She emphasized the extreme danger this situation posed to civilian aircraft, especially international flights, operating near the international border.
This statement contrasts with a Pakistani military spokesperson’s claim on Friday that Pakistan kept its airspace open while India launched attacks. The Indian Air Force’s assertion raises serious concerns about the safety of civilian air travel and the potential for escalation in the conflict.
First Piper 