IAF Issues NOTAM for Air Exercise Over J&K and Punjab from August 19–21

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) announcing restricted airspace over Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab for an upcoming air exercise scheduled between August 19 and 21.

The NOTAM covers specific zones close to the Line of Control (LoC), and during this period, civilian flights will be rerouted to ensure safe conduct of the exercise. Such airspace restrictions are a standard practice during large-scale IAF drills, allowing fighter jets and other assets to operate freely without interference from commercial aviation.

The exercise comes at a time when India has also extended its ban on Pakistani aircraft entering Indian airspace until August 23, reflecting the heightened focus on security in northern sectors. Aviation trackers have highlighted that the NOTAM indicates intensive IAF activity, with temporary adjustments expected for civilian air traffic in the affected region.

Interestingly, the J&K and Punjab exercise coincides with a separate NOTAM over the Bay of Bengal (August 20–21) for a scheduled missile test, showing the IAF and DRDO’s parallel operational and testing activities.

This drill underscores the IAF’s ongoing efforts to maintain combat readiness in sensitive sectors, particularly near the western and northern borders.