Saturday, March 29, 2025
In a dramatic mid-air emergency, more than 220 passengers on Indigo flight 6E 2142 from Delhi to Srinagar faced a potentially life-threatening situation after the aircraft encountered sudden and severe turbulence on Wednesday. The pilot, assessing the escalating danger, urgently requested permission from Pakistan’s Lahore Air Traffic Control (ATC) to make an emergency landing within Pakistani airspace. However, the request was denied.
According to sources, the incident occurred when the Indigo flight encountered extreme air disturbances near Amritsar. Despite the worsening weather conditions, Pakistani authorities refused to grant the emergency landing clearance. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has since launched an investigation into the matter.
In a statement issued by Indigo, the airline confirmed that flight 6E 2142 experienced unexpected turbulence while flying over Amritsar. “The captain followed standard operating protocols and, despite the denial of landing access by Pakistan, managed to land the aircraft safely at Srinagar Airport,” the statement read.
The aircraft was carrying over 220 passengers, including a five-member delegation from the Trinamool Congress (TMC). The delegation featured prominent members such as Derek O’Brien, Nadimul Haque, Sagarika Ghosh, Manas Bhunia, and Mamata Thakur.
Sagarika Ghosh, speaking after the flight landed, described the terrifying experience as “a near-death moment.” She said, “It felt like the end. People were crying, praying, and panicking.” She went on to commend the pilot for his extraordinary calm and skill, adding, “When we landed, we saw that part of the aircraft’s front had been damaged. We were all extremely grateful to the pilot for bringing us down safely.”
After the aircraft landed, airport staff provided immediate care and support to the shaken passengers. The TMC delegation personally thanked the pilot for his quick thinking and courage during the ordeal.
The refusal by Pakistan comes in the context of heightened tensions between the two nations following a recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam. In response to the incident, both India and Pakistan have shut down their respective airspaces for each other’s commercial aircraft.
This incident highlights the escalating diplomatic and security strain between India and Pakistan, where even humanitarian or emergency aviation needs are being affected by geopolitical tensions.
