New Delhi: In a dramatic mid-air crisis, an IndiGo flight en route from Delhi to Srinagar was caught in a severe whirlwind on Wednesday, prompting the pilot to request emergency access to Pakistani airspace. The plea, made to Lahore Air Traffic Control, was reportedly turned down without consideration, according to multiple news agencies.

With 227 passengers on board and faced with turbulent skies and a violent hailstorm, the pilot had little choice but to navigate through the planned route despite the hostile weather conditions. IndiGo Airlines later confirmed that the flight crew followed all established safety protocols and that the aircraft has since undergone mandatory checks and maintenance.

Shocking videos surfaced on social media, showing terrified passengers screaming as the aircraft shook violently. In a widely shared clip on the platform X, relieved passengers praised the pilot and cabin crew for their calm professionalism and credited them with saving lives.

This incident has sparked sharp criticism of Pakistan’s refusal to offer humanitarian assistance in a moment of potential danger, raising questions about international aviation norms and neighborly cooperation during emergencies.

As diplomatic relations remain tense, the skies too have become yet another theater where politics seemingly outweighs compassion.