• Source:JND
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Qatar Airspace Closure: After late-night Iranian strikes on Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the Indian Embassy in Qatar on Monday issued an advisory urging citizens to stay indoors. The Indian Embassy has asked them to stay calm and follow instructions and guidance from Qatari authorities.

The Embassy in the advisory added that further updates will be shared through its social media channels. The statement read, "In view of the ongoing situation, Indian community in Qatar is urged to be cautious and remain indoors. Please remain calm and follow local news, instructions, and guidance provided by Qatari authorities. The Embassy will also keep updating through our social media channels."

Meanwhile, two Indian flights have been cancelled after Iran launched strikes under Operation Basharat al-Fath. The flights belonged to Air India and IndiGo.

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The IndiGo flight was to fly from Delhi, while the Air India flight was scheduled from Cochin. Several other flight operations have also been hampered due to the strikes. Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE have shut their airspaces in the wake of the Iranian strikes.

Due to the closure of airspace in the Middle East, flight operations from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport have been impacted, the spokesperson of the Ahmedabad Airport said in a statement. The airport has requested passengers to check with their respective airlines on the status of their flights before arriving at the airport.

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In the evolving scenario, Air India has ceased all of its flight operations in the Middle East. Apart from that, operations from the East Coast of North America and Europe have also been ceased with immediate effect. In a statement, the airline said, "Amid the developing situation in the Middle East, Air India has ceased all operations to the region as well as to and from the East Coast of North America and Europe with immediate effect, until further notice. Our India-bound flights from North America are diverting back to their respective origins and others are being diverted back to India or re-routed away from the closed airspaces. We request the understanding of all passengers who may be affected by this disruption that’s beyond an airline’s control. Air India is in continuous consultation with its external security advisors and is vigilantly monitoring the evolving situation. We will keep our passengers informed of any updates. The safety and security of our passengers and staff remain our number one priority."

Reacting to the strikes, Qatar has condemned and called it aggression. Qatar in its statement, said that it intercepted the Iranian projectiles and that all citizens were safe. It also said that the air base was evacuated before the attack. Al-Udeid Air Base is the most crucial as it is the largest US airbase in the region.