Pak airspace

The first contingent of the Indian Army landed in Kashmir on October 27, 1947, after J&K’S ruler Hari Singh signed an instrument of accession with India even as he faced an invasion from Pakistan-backed tribal fighters.

Pakistani officials said that the decision about the airspace denial was conveyed to the Indian high commission in Islamabad.

One of the people cited above, who declined to be named, said that India regretted Pakistan’s decision to “yet again deny overflight clearance for the VVIP special flight, which is otherwise granted routinely by any normal country”.

The person added, “Overflight clearances are sought, and granted by other countries as per prescribed ICAO guidelines and India will continue to seek such overflight clearances. Separately, we have taken up the matter of such denial with the relevant international civil aviation body.”

The people said that Pakistan should reflect on its decision to deviate from well-established international practice, and reconsider its “old habit of misrepresenting the reasons for taking unilateral action”.

According to Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) officials, the denial of airspace would mean just a 15-minute additional flying time for Modi’s flight.

Tensions between India and Pakistan have risen since New Delhi scrapped J&K’S special status in August. The armies of the two countries have exchanged fire along the de facto India-pakistan border in J&K, the Line of Control (LOC), and New Delhi has accused Pakistan of trying to help terrorists cross over into India.

Army chief General Bipin Rawat on October 20 said that the Indian Army mounted an artillery attack on at least four terror camps and Pakistani military positions across the LOC in retaliation to ceasefire violations meant to assist infiltrators. He added that at least six Pakistani soldiers were killed and heavy terrorist casualties were also inflicted.

Modi was due to travel to Saudi Arabia on Monday night to participate in an international business forum and to hold talks with the country’s top leadership.

Pakistan denied the use of its airspace by Modi’s special flight when he travelled to the US in September to attend the UN Gen