PM Modi's Plane Skips Pakistani Airspace While Returning From Saudi Arabia After Pahalgam Attack: Report

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to New Delhi early Wednesday (April 23) morning, cutting short his diplomatic trip to Saudi Arabia after a deadly terror attack claimed the lives of 26 people, including two foreign nationals, in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam.

The PM’s special aircraft reportedly avoided Pakistani airspace during the return journey, in stark contrast to his flight to Jeddah just a day earlier.

PM Modi's Flight Skips Pakistani Airspace on Return

According to a report by India Today, on his way to Jeddah on Tuesday, April 22, the PM's Indian Air Force Boeing 777 (K7067) flew over Pakistan. However, the return flight on Wednesday steered clear of Pakistani airspace, taking a longer route amid heightened tensions following the massacre.

The decision to reroute appears to reflect India’s strong diplomatic and security stance following the terror strike, which is believed to have been carried out by The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy outfit of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Intelligence reports suggest the assault was a targeted operation, aimed at civilians based on identity.

Emergency Briefing and CCS Meeting Called

Upon landing in Delhi, PM Modi held an urgent briefing at the airport with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. He also scheduled a Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting for 11:00 AM to assess the situation further and chart the government’s response.

Condemning the killings, PM Modi wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected.” He added, “Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice... their evil agenda will never succeed.”

Published on: Wednesday, April 23, 2025, 12:16 PM IST