Air India, IndiGo cancel flights after drone activity along IB in Jammu, Punjab

Following reports of drone activity along the International Border (IB) in Jammu’s Samba district and Punjab’s Jalandhar, Air India and IndiGo have suspended several flight operations on Tuesday.

Air India suspended flights to and from Jammu, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot, citing passenger safety. “We are monitoring the situation and will keep you updated,” the airline posted on X.

IndiGo also halted operations in Jammu, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Leh, Srinagar, and Rajkot. “We understand this may disrupt travel plans and regret the inconvenience,” the airline said, assuring it closely monitors developments.

These airports are among those that were reopened for civilian flights on Monday after being temporarily shut in the wake of the military conflict between India and Pakistan.

The Indian Army confirmed that suspected drones were spotted late Monday near Samba and Jalandhar but added that the situation is now calm and under control. “No enemy drones are being reported at present,” it stated.

Military officials emphasised there was no need for alarm. “A small number of suspected drones were observed near Samba. They are being engaged,” an army spokesperson told PTI.

As a precaution, several areas in Jammu, Kathua, Rajouri, and Samba experienced blackouts. Lights at the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine and along its pilgrimage track were also switched off.

The spike in drone activity and tension comes shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's national address following Operation Sindoor, and a meeting between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan.

Meanwhile, a senior official in Jalandhar confirmed that security forces had successfully neutralised a suspected surveillance drone.