On 12 May 2025, the Centre issued a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) to reopen 32 airports that had been shut since 9 May due to cross-border drone and missile attacks following the Pahalgam massacre, in which 26 tourists were killed by terrorists.
The airports to gradually reopen include: Chandigarh, Srinagar, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Bhuntar, Kishangarh, Patiala, Shimla, Kangra-Gaggal, Bathinda, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Halwara, Pathankot, Jammu, Leh, Mundra, Jamnagar, Hirasar, Porbandar, Keshod, Kandla, and Bhuj.
Though a ceasefire was announced at the request of the Pakistan DGMO, the Indian government is proceeding cautiously.
According to the Indian Army, the night remained largely peaceful, with no incidents reported—a first in recent days.
The reopening signals a de-escalation in hostilities, especially after India launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ to avenge the massacre.
The move is expected to restore normalcy in flight operations, which had been widely disrupted.
