🛑 IAF की तत्परता से बची 200 जानें: पाक ने इंडिगो फ्लाइट को एयरस्पेस से निकाला, तूफान में फंसी फ्लाइट श्रीनगर में लैंड
New Delhi/Srinagar –
In a shocking development, Pakistan denied airspace access to an emergency-struck IndiGo aircraft on May 21, putting the lives of over 200 passengers at risk. The Delhi-to-Srinagar flight IndiGo 6E-2142 was hit by a severe hailstorm at around 36,000 feet, near Pathankot, Punjab.
विमान की नाक (nose cone) बुरी तरह क्षतिग्रस्त हो गई और फ्लाइट को 8500 फीट प्रति मिनट की दर से नीचे गिरना पड़ा। पायलट ने सबसे पहले IAF के नॉर्दर्न एयर ट्रैफिक कंट्रोल (ATC) से पाकिस्तान की ओर मोड़ने की इजाजत मांगी, लेकिन वहां से मना कर दिया गया।
🚫 पाकिस्तान का इनकार, इमरजेंसी के बावजूद नहीं दी अनुमति
The pilot then contacted Lahore ATC, citing emergency weather conditions. However, despite the critical situation, Lahore Air Traffic Control refused permission, citing a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) A0220/25 issued by Pakistan Civil Aviation, which bars Indian civilian and military aircraft from using their airspace.
🇮🇳 IAF ने दिखाई तत्परता, रेस्क्यू में निभाई अहम भूमिका
After denial from Pakistan, the Indian Air Force (IAF) took charge of the situation. “The aircraft was immediately assisted in rerouting by Delhi Area ATC. Control vectors and ground speed data were provided until safe landing at Srinagar,” said IAF sources.
शाम 6:30 बजे, फ्लाइट की श्रीनगर एयरबेस पर सुरक्षित लैंडिंग हुई। Thankfully, all passengers and crew were safe, though the aircraft’s nose suffered visible damage.
🧑✈️ TMC सांसद भी थे फ्लाइट में सवार
The flight also had five senior TMC MPs on board: Sagarika Ghose, Derek O’Brien, Nadimul Haque, Manas Bhunia, and Mamata Thakur. उनके लिए भी यह एक बेहद डरावना अनुभव था।
🛑 भारत-पाक तनाव की पृष्ठभूमि
It is worth noting that India and Pakistan had restricted each other’s airspace following the Pahalgam terror attack (April 22) in which 26 civilians were killed. India retaliated with Operation Sindoor on May 7, causing significant military damage to Pakistan, including loss to 11 air bases.
Later, a ceasefire was requested by Pakistan’s DGMO on May 10, which India temporarily accepted.
🗣️ Expert Speak:
“Such denial of airspace during an in-flight emergency is not just irresponsible but a humanitarian concern. Air safety should rise above politics,” said a retired IAF Air Marshal.
✍️ This incident highlights the crucial role of the Indian Air Force in civilian flight emergencies and questions the humanitarian stance of Pakistan during such crises. Editor-in-chief – Vijay Chaurasiya