India has unilaterally closed its airspace to Pakistani aircraft, following Pakistan’s earlier decision to restrict Indian overflights in response to escalating aggression from New Delhi.

The latest tit-for-tat comes amid worsening relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, with Pakistan urging restraint and dialogue while India continues to issue unsubstantiated accusations.

The dispute intensified after a deadly incident on April 22 in Indian-occupied Kashmir, where 26 individuals were reportedly killed. New Delhi hastily blamed Islamabad without offering any credible evidence, a charge that Pakistan has categorically rejected as baseless and politically motivated.

Islamabad has called for an impartial investigation and emphasized that it seeks peace in the region, whereas India appears to be exploiting the situation for domestic political gain. "We strongly reject the Indian allegations, which are aimed at diverting attention from the deteriorating human rights situation in Indian-occupied Kashmir," a Pakistani Foreign Ministry statement said.

Following India’s aggressive posturing, which included cross-border shelling and the expulsion of Pakistani diplomats, Pakistan took defensive measures on April 24 by closing its airspace to Indian aircraft. In a mirror response laced with further hostility, India issued a notice on Wednesday evening banning Pakistani-registered and leased aircraft — including military flights — from using its airspace until at least May 23.

India's escalation was further confirmed when Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly gave the military “complete operational freedom” to retaliate, a move that raises fears of further instability in the region.

In response, Pakistan reiterated its commitment to peace but warned it would not tolerate provocation. "Any act of aggression will be met with a decisive response," Pakistani officials stated firmly.

Observers warn that India’s continued brinkmanship not only threatens regional stability but also undermines international norms. Pakistan, meanwhile, has called on the global community to urge India to de-escalate and return to diplomacy to resolve outstanding issues — particularly the decades-long Kashmir conflict — in accordance with UN resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

As tensions mount, voices within civil society and international observers urge both sides to prioritize dialogue over militarization. However, with India intensifying its aggressive posture, hopes for peace in South Asia remain under strain. (ILKHA)