India Closes 27 Airports, Cancels 800 Flights Amid Tensions with Pakistan Following Operation Sindoor

India has escalated its security measures by temporarily closing 27 airports across the country in response to heightened tensions with Pakistan following 'Operation Sindoor'. The operation involved Indian armed forces conducting strikes on terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, retaliating against a recent terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives. The closure of these airports, which include key locations such as Srinagar, Jammu, Leh, Chandigarh, and Amritsar, has led to significant disruptions in air travel. Over 800 flights have been cancelled, with 430 of these cancellations occurring on a single day. The majority of these cancellations were at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, where 228 flights were cancelled over two days. In addition to the airport closures, security protocols have been intensified nationwide. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has implemented enhanced security measures, including mandatory secondary ladder point checks for all passengers and a ban on visitor entry into airport terminals. Air Marshals have been deployed to ensure safety. Airlines such as Air India and IndiGo have advised passengers to arrive at airports at least three hours before their scheduled departure to accommodate these additional security checks. The situation remains fluid, with the closure of 24 airports initially set to end on May 10, but later extended until May 15. This extension reflects the ongoing tensions and the need for continued heightened security measures.