Pakistan Closes Airspace For Warplanes Rehearsal 'Amidst Indian Threats': Pak Media

Pakistani warplanes are said to have commenced a take-off-and-landing rehearsal in the northern region of the country this morning ‘amidst threats from India.’

The Express Tribune newspaper reported today that Pakistan International Airlines had cancelled flights from Islamabad to Skardu, Gilgit, Chitral and Peshawar this morning for an unspecified period to facilitate the rehearsal by the Pakistan Air Force.

“As per directives of CAA, the airspace over northern areas will remain closed on Wednesday, 21 September, 2016. Inconvenience regretted,” the newspaper quoted PIA spokesperson Danyal Gilani as posting on Twitter.

While the reason behind the suspension of flights was not specified, reports suggest Pakistan’s warplanes are engaged in a take-off and landing rehearsal amid threats from India following attack on its Srinagar (Uri) military base.

Eighteen Indian soldiers were killed when militants attacked an army brigade headquarters in the Uri area near the Line of Control (the unofficial border between India and Pakistan) Sunday morning.

Earlier on Monday, Indian army reportedly requested the government to consider “limited but punitive” strikes against militant camps in Pakistan occupied Kashmir.