Rajouri bureaucrat killed in Pakistani shelling

On Saturday, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah confirmed the death of Raj Kumar Thappa, the Additional District Development Commissioner of Rajouri, due to shelling from Pakistan. Abdullah expressed his sorrow on social media, stating, “We have lost a dedicated officer of the J&K Administration Services.” He noted that just a day prior, Thappa had been accompanying the Deputy Chief Minister throughout the district and participated in an online meeting chaired by him.

According to the Chief Minister, Thappa’s residence was struck by the shelling from across the border.

Suspension of civil flights at 32 airports extended till May 15

The Ministry of Civil Aviation announced on Saturday that the suspension of civilian flights at 32 airports in India has been prolonged until May 15. These airports will remain closed until 5:30 AM on Thursday.

Due to rising tensions between India and Pakistan, several airports in northern and central India were closed for civilian operations from May 7 to May 10. The airports affected include Srinagar, Adhampur, Ambala, Amritsar, Awantipur, Bathinda, Bhuj, Bikaner, Chandigarh, Halwara, Hindon, Jaisalmer, Jammu, Jamnagar, Jodhpur, Kandla, Kangra, Keshod, Kishangarh, and Kullu Manali.

Additionally, Pathankot, Patiala, Leh, Ludhiana, Mundra, Naliya, Porbandar, Rajkot, Sarsawa, Shimla, Thoise, and Uttarlai will also be closed for civilian air traffic. The Airports Authority of India has also extended the temporary closure of 25 segments of air traffic service routes in the Delhi and Mumbai flight information regions.

Pakistan closes airspace

On Saturday, Pakistan announced the closure of its airspace for all air traffic. This decision follows statements from the Indian military, which claimed that Pakistan had previously kept its airspace open and utilized civilian flights as a cover while attempting covert drone and missile strikes.

Wing Commander Vyomika Singh remarked, “Pakistan is using civil airliners as a shield, fully aware that any attack on India would provoke a rapid air defense response.” He emphasized the risks posed to unsuspecting civil airliners, including international flights operating near the India-Pakistan international border.