An IndiGo pilot flying the Delhi-Srinagar route on Wednesday requested permission from Lahore Air Traffic Control to briefly enter Pakistani airspace after the aircraft encountered a sudden hailstorm, sources revealed on Thursday. The aim was to avoid the turbulence, but the request was denied, they added. The incident involving flight 6E 2142 is now under investigation by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
The flight, which had more than 220 passengers onboard, including MPs from the Trinamool Congress, ran into unexpected hailstorm activity. The pilot declared an “emergency” to air traffic control at Srinagar airport. Despite the ordeal, the aircraft landed safely that same day.
As the plane was flying over Amritsar, the pilot observed turbulence ahead and contacted Lahore ATC for clearance to deviate through Pakistan’s airspace. The request was denied, according to sources cited by PTI.
With no alternative, the aircraft continued along its original route and encountered severe turbulence, they said.
Given the heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed at least 26 lives, Pakistan has closed its airspace to Indian airlines. India has reciprocated by banning Pakistani carriers from its airspace.
On Thursday, IndiGo released a statement confirming that flight 6E 2142 from Delhi to Srinagar on May 21, 2025, had navigated through a sudden hailstorm and landed safely at Srinagar International Airport.
“All customers were attended to upon landing and no injuries were reported. The aircraft is currently undergoing necessary inspection and maintenance in Srinagar and will resume operations once all clearances have been secured,” the airline stated.
A five-member delegation of the Trinamool Congress—Derek O’Brien, Nadimul Haque, Sagarika Ghose, Manas Bhunia, and Mamata Thakur—was among the passengers.
“It was a near-death experience. I thought my life was over. People were screaming, praying and panicking,” Ghose said on Wednesday.
“Hats off to the pilot who brought us through that. When we landed, we saw the nose of the plane had blown up,” she had said, adding that the delegation thanked the pilot after landing.
“As per crew statement, they requested Northern control (IAF) for deviation towards left (International Border) due to weather on the route, however, it was not approved.
“Later crew contacted Lahore to enter into their airspace to avoid the weather but the same was refused too,” DGCA said.
According to the regulator, the crew initially tried to turn back, but since they were close to the thunderstorm cloud, they chose to proceed through the weather instead.
“Subsequently, they encountered hailstorm and severe turbulence. Crew chose to continue at the same heading to exit the weather by the shortest route towards Srinagar,” the statement said.
Videos circulating on social media captured moments of panic inside the cabin, with frightened passengers praying and holding on as the aircraft was rocked by turbulence.