Warning Bell Rings After Indian Strikes: Foreign Office Advises Caution for Travelers Heading to Pakistan
International Department Issues Travel Advisory for Pakistan
In the aftermath of the Indian air strikes, the Foreign Office goes on high alert, urging travelers to hold back on planned flights to Pakistan for the moment. It's advisable to get in touch with your airline to check the status of your flight, as per the latest travel and safety guidelines. Initially, Pakistan shut its airspace following the air strikes at night, but later on, the restriction was lifted during the day. Yet, several flights are still grounded according to the updated guidelines from the Foreign Office, and there's a chance of short-term travel restrictions within the country or renewed airspace closures.
India has closed airports in several areas such as Dharamshala, Leh, Jammu, Srinagar, and Amritsar. The Foreign Office has issued an advisory against visiting Jammu, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Kashmir, and the border crossing at Wagah-Attari between India and Pakistan remains closed, with potential for additional travel restrictions. German citizens residing in the region are encouraged to register themselves on the Foreign Office's crisis prevention list. A meeting of the crisis response team of the federal government is scheduled to take place today.
Meanwhile, the US government has warned its citizens about traveling to Pakistan, with stricter guidelines for regions near the India-Pakistan border and the Line of Control. The US has slapped a "Do Not Travel" advisory on these areas due to increased terrorism risks and potential armed conflict. For the rest of Pakistan, the advisory is to "Reconsider Travel" due to ongoing security concerns. US citizens have been urged to stay clear of conflict zones, move away from areas of active military activity if it's safe, stay put if they can't leave, stay vigilant, carry identification, and avoid drawing attention to themselves. They are also recommended to follow local news, keep safety plans ready, and enroll in the Smart Traveller Enrollment Program (STEP) for updates from the US Embassy. The advisory also mentions that the airspace has been closed in certain regions, and many flights have been cancelled, causing travel disruptions.
Sources: ntv.de, dpa, US Dept. of State
| Region | Advisory Level | Primary Concerns ||------------------------------------------------|-----------------------|-----------------------------------|| India-Pakistan Border / Line of Control | Do Not Travel | Terrorism, armed conflict || Rest of Pakistan | Reconsider Travel | Security concerns, potential unrest|
Travelers are urged to follow the advice of their governments and remain up-to-date on the latest travel and safety information.
- I'm not sure about my plans to travel to Kashmir considering the ongoing war-and-conflicts and politics in the region as per the general news.
- It would be wise to reconsider travel to Gilgit-Baltistan andregister on the Foreign Office's crisis prevention list, given the potential for closures and travel restrictions due to the situation in the area.
- WhatsApp updates and the Smart Traveller Enrollment Program (STEP) are recommended for US citizens traveling to Pakistan, especially near the India-Pakistan border and the Line of Control, as per the US Department of State advisory.
- Overnight airspace closures and flight cancellations have been reported due to the recent war-and-conflicts between India and Pakistan, hence it's important to check the status of flights before heading to Pakistan.
