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A warning has been issued to Australians to “reconsider” their travel plans to Pakistan following the firing of missiles by India into Pakistani-controlled areas early this morning.
Indian airlines have since announced that they are cancelling flights to Srinagar, Indian-controlled Kashmir’s main city.
Flights to Dharamshala, Leh, Jammu and Amritsar in northern India have also been cancelled, as their airports are “closed until further notice.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) manages the Smartraveller website, which is advising travelers to “exercise a high degree of caution” in India as well.
Indian missiles struck five locations inside Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Pakistani military sources told CNN.
The specific regions of concern include Ahmadpur East and Muridke in Pakistan’s Punjab province, which are within the country’s officially recognized borders, along with Muzaffarabad, Bagh, and Kotli in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
Pakistani security officials initially reported that the strikes killed a child and wounded two other people.
The reported death toll has since risen to eight.
Smartraveller is now urging Australians to reconsider their need to travel to Pakistan “due to the volatile security situation”, with several locations subject to “do not travel” warnings.
Those locations include parts of Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and border areas with Afghanistan and India.
“Pakistan has announced the Wagah border crossing is closed until further notice, and cross-border travel is suspended,” the website reads.
“If you have plans to travel to India from Pakistan, reconsider your route and follow the advice of local authorities.”
Australians are also warned to exercise a high degree of caution in India overall.
Stricter “do not travel” warnings are in place for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the India-Pakistan border, and Manipur.
The Smartraveller website also suggests travellers ”reconsider” the need to travel to the Atari-Wagah border crossing, Chhattisgarh and the border areas of neighbouring states.
Smartraveller advice updated today recommended Australians in India monitor local media, take official warnings seriously and follow the advice of local authorities.
It warned that there may be flight disruptions and to check with airlines before going to any airports, as they may close on short notice.
