In a development that has drawn attention across diplomatic and defense circles, Pakistan has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), temporarily restricting air traffic over select routes near the Line of Control (LoC). The restrictions, in effect from June 23 to July 25, are understood to be connected to a large-scale military exercise underway in Pakistan’s central sector.
The LoC, demarcated following the 1971 war, remains one of the most sensitive military flashpoints in South Asia. In recent months, incidents of ceasefire violations have been on the rise. Aviation safety monitors have flagged these developments as indicators of broader instability in the region.
Compounding the situation, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto warned earlier this month of “war over water,” following India’s decision to put the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance. The treaty, signed in 1960, governs water sharing between the two countries and has long been considered a stabilizing factor despite frequent political clashes.
With both military maneuvers and diplomatic rhetoric intensifying, analysts say the NOTAM could be part of Pakistan’s effort to reinforce its strategic posture amid a tense standoff. Indian defense officials are reportedly monitoring the situation closely, and no official response has yet been issued by New Delhi.
As the restricted airspace remains in place for nearly a month, concerns continue to mount over potential miscalculations or escalation along the border.
