Big explosion reported in Lahore; flight suspension at Karachi, Lahore, Sialkot airports

Synopsis

Following Indian Army's strikes on terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, a reported explosion in Lahore led to temporary flight operations halt at Karachi, Lahore, and Sialkot airports. 'Operation Sindoor' targeted Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen, responding to the Pahalgam attack where 26 people were killed. The Indian government emphasized its right to address cross-border terrorism.

A seemingly major explosion was reported from Lahore on May 8, a day after the Indian Army executed a series of deadly precision strikes at a number of sites in both Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, news agencies reported. Subsequently, the Pakistan Airports Authority temporarily halted flight operations at airports in Karachi, Lahore, and Sialkot, Reuters said.

The Pakistan Airports Authority announced that the airports in Lahore and Sialkot will not be operational for any flights until 12 PM on Thursday. This suspension has disrupted the schedules of both domestic and international flights, as reported by Aaj News.

Travelers have been advised to get in touch with their airlines for the latest updates regarding their flight schedules and any potential delays.

This incident follows the Indian Army's targeted strikes, which successfully dismantled nine terrorist bases associated with Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen as part of 'Operation Sindoor' across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

The Indian Air Force carried out precise strikes on four locations within Pakistan, while an additional five sites were targeted in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The defense ministry characterized the operation as "focused, measured, and non-escalatory," explicitly avoiding any Pakistani military targets.

'Operation Sindoor' was a collaborative mission involving the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The defense ministry clarified that the operation was directed solely at eliminating terrorist infrastructure and did not pose any danger to Pakistan's military facilities.

Furthermore, this military action was a direct response to the terrorist attack that took place on April 22 in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of 26 individuals. The Indian government asserted its right to confront cross-border terrorism and address imminent threats.

During a press briefing, foreign secretary Vikram Misri emphasised the connections between Pakistan and terrorist organizations, citing the Pahalgam attack as a notable example. "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," Misri said.

"This incident marks the most severe occurrence since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, particularly because civilians were directly targeted," he added.