airspace
After failing to arrive at the Lahore Airport due to heavy weather, a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) jet was in Indian airspace for about 10 minutes. Before turning around, the aircraft flew 125 km over the Indian Punjab and spent about ten minutes in Indian airspace.
On May 4 around 8 o’clock, as PIA aircraft PK248 was returning from Muscat, the event happened. Due to the intense rain, the pilot was unable to land at Allama Iqbal International Airport. The pilot conducted a go-round in response to the air traffic controller’s instructions. The pilot, however, became confused on the way back because of the severe rain and low altitude.
At 8:11 p.m., the aircraft left the Badhana police station in Punjab and flew into Indian airspace at a speed of 292 km/hr while travelling at a height of 13,500 feet. Within 40 km of Naushehra Pannuan, the jet made a U-turn and headed back, passing via the Indian Punjab cities of Taran Sahib and Rasulpur.
The pilot raised the aircraft to 20,000 feet while in Indian airspace. After spending seven minutes in Indian airspace, the aircraft flew over Jhugian Noor Muhammad in Indian Punjab before crossing into Pakistan. Once more crossing into Indian airspace, the plane flew over the Pakistani Punjab hamlet of Kasur.
At 8:22 p.m., the aircraft left the Indian Punjab hamlet of Lakha Singhwala Hithar and returned to Pakistani airspace. 320 km/h and was at a height of 23,000 feet.
The aircraft travelled to Multan after entering Pakistani airspace, flying through Hujra Shah Muqeem and Dipalpur on route. jet covered 120 km in Indian territory.
