India Closes Multiple Airports Amid Operation Sindoor Escalation

India launched Operation Sindoor, conducting air strikes on nine alleged terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir in response to a deadly attack in Pahalgam. In the wake of these strikes, Indian authorities closed multiple airports in northern and western border states—including Amritsar, Srinagar, Jammu, Leh, Chandigarh, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Rajkot, and Dharamshala—to civilian flights, reserving some for military use only. Major airlines such as Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet cancelled numerous flights and issued advisories, with international carriers rerouting flights to avoid Pakistani airspace. The closures and cancellations have led to significant disruptions for both domestic and international travelers, with over 20 domestic and 50 international flight cancellations reported, and passengers warned of ongoing delays and further disruptions. Authorities have heightened security at border areas, canceled public ceremonies, and advised travelers to check flight statuses regularly. The closures are expected to last at least 24 to 72 hours as tensions remain high along the Indo-Pakistani border.