PIA flight enters Indian airspace, flies near Amritsar and Tarn Taran Sahib before landing in Multan | India News

NEW DELHI: A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane mistakenly entered Indian airspace for almost 10 minutes after it was unable to land in Lahore due to heavy rain, according to a media report on Sunday.
The incident occurred around 8pm on May 4 when PIA flight PK248 was returning from Muscat, Oman.
As it neared the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore, heavy rain made it impossible for the pilot to land and he was instructed by the air traffic controller to turn towards Multan airport.
During the approach to Multan from Lahore, the pilot lost his way due to the heavy rain and low altitude, according to a report by The News.
First ‘incursion’
The aircraft, flying at an altitude of 13,500 feet with a speed of 292 km/hr, entered Indian airspace from near Padhana in Pakistan, less than 50km from Amritsar.
The plane traversed over 40km of Indian territory and crossed the city of Tarn Taran Sahib and Rasulpur. The plane then re-entered Pakistani airspace from near Naushehra Pannuan in Indian Punjab.
While flying in Indian airspace, the pilot took the plane to a height of 20,000 feet. The aircraft flew in the Indian airspace for seven minutes.
According to other media reports, the PIA pilot had informed the Indian aviation authorities about his predicament and the Indian Air Traffic Control granted permission to the PIA plane to use Indian airspace to reach Multan.
Second crossing into Indian airspace
The flight once again entered Indian airspace via the villages of Dona Mabboki, Chaant, Dhupsari Kasur and Ghati Kalanjar in Kasur district of Pakistani Punjab.
Three minutes later, the plane re-entered Pakistani territory from the village of Lakha Singhwala Hithar in Indian Punjab. At that time, the plane was at an altitude of 23,000 feet and was travelling at a speed of 320 kms.
The plane then made its way to Multan where it landed safely.
The News added that the plane travelled a total of 120km in Indian territory for almost 10 minutes.
(With inputs from agencies)