US fears militants may target airlines in Pakistan
January 03, 2020
WASHINGTON: The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has once again issued an advisory regarding Pakistan, warning US airlines of possible attacks while they travel in Pakistani airspace or on the ground and operating at low altitudes, including during the arrival and departure phases of flights.
The News reported on Friday that in the latest notices to Airmen, otherwise called NOTAM, the FAA has warned that there were continuing risks to US civil aviation operations in the territory and airspace of Pakistan. It is not the first time that such a notice has been issued by the administration.
Without making any major changes in the language of the previous notices, the FAA advised US civil aviation to "exercise caution when operating into, out of, within, or over the territory and airspace of Pakistan.”
“With the ongoing presence of extremist/militant elements operating in Pakistan, there is continued risk to US civil aviation from small-arms fire, complex attacks against airports, indirect weapons fire, and anti-aircraft fire, any of which could occur with little or no warning," said the NOTAM.
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In the latest notice the FAA advised its airmen to “exercise caution during flight operations”.
In previous notices, the FAA had informed its airlines that cross-border tensions in Kashmir could escalate with little or no warning. It added that the tensions may result in temporary airspace restrictions being issued by the air navigation service providers responsible for managing that space.
"While, to date, there have been no reports of man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) being used against civil aviation in the territory and airspace of Pakistan, some extremist/militant groups operating in Pakistan are suspected of having access to MANPADS," said a previous notice.
"As a result, there is a potential risk for extremists/militants to target civil aviation with MANPADS. Some MANPADS are capable of reaching a maximum altitude of 25,000 feet above ground level."
