The UK government has issued travel warnings for parts of India and Pakistan due to a surge in violence between the two countries, resulting in at least 19 deaths.
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) updated its travel advice after India launched air strikes across the Line of Control into Pakistani-administered territory in what it claimed was retaliation for last month’s deadly massacre of tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir.
Officials in New Delhi said missiles had struck nine targets, including alleged militant infrastructure in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Punjab province.
In response, Pakistan reportedly fired artillery shells into Indian-controlled territory, with seven civilians killed and 30 more wounded, according to the Indian army.
The UK Government is now advising against all travel within 10km of the India-Pakistan international border, 10 miles of the Line of Control, and across Pakistan’s volatile Balochistan province.
Flights to and from the region have also been thrown into chaos, with airspace closures forcing airlines to divert or cancel routes.
A Foreign Office statement said: “On the night of 6 May (UK Time), the Indian Ministry of Defence stated it had struck nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
In response, there are reports of Pakistani artillery fire across the Line of Control.”
The statement added: “Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority indicated that it was closing Pakistan airspace for at least 48 hours. There are reports of flights being diverted. British nationals should contact their airline for up-to-date information.”
The FCDO said it was “continuing to monitor the situation closely” and urged British nationals in the region to follow local advice and remain alert.
