India approves Pakistan's urgent flight request in just four hours.
In a significant humanitarian gesture, India has firmly dismissed reports claiming it blocked a Pakistani relief flight intended for Sri Lanka. Contrary to rumors circulating in Pakistani media, New Delhi expedited the approval process, granting permission for the aircraft to utilize India Pakistan airspace to deliver essential supplies to the cyclone-ravaged island nation.
Government officials clarified the timeline to dispel the "baseless and misleading" allegations. Islamabad submitted a formal request to fly over Indian territory at approximately 1:00 PM (IST) on Monday. Recognizing the emergency nature of the mission—to transport relief materials to victims of Cyclone Ditwah—Indian authorities processed the application with exceptional speed. By 5:30 PM (IST) on the same day, just four hours later, the clearance was officially communicated to the Pakistani government.
This swift approval stands out particularly because Pakistan currently maintains a ban on Indian commercial airlines using its own airspace. Despite this, officials emphasized that India viewed this strictly as a humanitarian imperative to assist a neighbor in distress.
Crisis in Sri Lanka and Operation Sagar Bandhu
The relief efforts come as Sri Lanka grapples with the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah. The natural disaster has triggered massive flooding, particularly around the capital, Colombo, and has tragically claimed at least 334 lives.
While facilitating international aid, India has also launched its own massive relief mission, dubbed "Operation Sagar Bandhu." India has already dispatched 53 tons of emergency supplies to support the Sri Lankan people.
According to official reports, the Indian Navy and Air Force are heavily involved in the response. Two naval ships have offloaded 9.5 tons of rations in Colombo. Furthermore, the Indian Air Force has deployed three aircraft to airlift 31.5 tons of critical gear, including hygiene kits, tents, medicines, and surgical equipment.
To assist with on-ground rescue operations, India has deployed specialized Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), comprising 80 personnel. Additionally, the Indian Navy Ship Sukanya, stationed at Trincomalee, has delivered another 12 tons of supplies, ensuring comprehensive support for the flood-affected communities.
