Tensions have flared up between India and Pakistan after the deadly suicide bombing in Indian-administered Kashmir earlier this month killed more than 40 Indian soldiers.
The air strike and crossfire on the India-Pakistan border have also escalated as the conflict between the two nations further deepens.
Pakistan army today has claimed that they have captured an Indian Air Force pilot alive, after downing two IAF planes in Pakistan-administered- Kashmir. Videos have been released but so far, India has not corroborated or dismissed these claims. There are also unconfirmed reports that a Pakistan Air Force F-16 jet has crashed in the Lam Valley area.
At approximately 9pm AEST, the spokesperson for India's External Affairs department Mr Ravish Kumar conceded that India lost an MiG 21 aircraft in Pakistani territory and that one pilot is Missing in Action.
Click on the audio link above to listen to the latest report from SBS Punjabi team member Avneet Arora, who is currently in Ludhiana (Punjab).
Airspace shutdown
India temporarily shut down five airports at Amritsar, Pathankot, Leh, Srinagar, and Jammu to civilian flights. The move was taken shortly after an IAF jet crashed in Kashmir’s Budgam district today.
Melbourne-based Parminder Kaur along with her family are stranded at the Singapore airport from where they were about to catch a connecting flight to Amritsar in Punjab.
She told SBS Punjabi that it’s a chaotic situation as families are desperate to board the connecting flights but they’re denied by the airport staff.
“No one knows what’s happening here. There’re no assurances from the airport authorities so far… All we know is that Amritsar airport is shut down until further notice,” she said.
“We’re six families from Melbourne and Sydney who were about to take a Scoot flight to Amritsar from Singapore.
The families say they are now trying to fly to New Delhi and reach Amritsar by road.
SBS Punjabi has similar reports from Dubai where at least two Indian Australian families who were on their way to Amritsar are stranded.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has stopped its flight operations from Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Sialkot and Islamabad airports.
