An IndiGo pilot operating the Delhi-Srinagar flight on Wednesday encountered extreme turbulence triggered by a sudden hailstorm.
In a bid to divert from the bad weather, the pilot had first asked for permission from Lahore Air Traffic Control (ATC) to temporarily cross Pakistan airspace, but it was refused, sources indicated on Thursday.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered an investigation into the incident of flight 6E 2142, the sources further added.
Carrying over 220 passengers, including members of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), the flight encountered a sudden hailstorm mid-journey. The pilot declared an emergency to the Srinagar ATC before safely landing the plane on Wednesday.
When on a flight close to Amritsar, the crew observed extreme turbulence and asked Lahore ATC permission to divert via Pakistani airspace to steer clear of the same. Lahore, however, turned down the request, and the flight had to fly as directed, where it faced severe turbulence, the sources informed PTI.
This comes in the wake of increased tensions between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack, where at least 26 people died. In retaliation, India and Pakistan have shut down their skies for each other's airlines.
IndiGo released a statement on Thursday that flight 6E 2142 landed safely at Srinagar International Airport having been hit by the hailstorm on May 21, 2025.
"Every passenger was received on landing and there were no reports of injuries. The aircraft is now going through the required inspection and maintenance in Srinagar and will start operation again after all necessary clearances are in place," the airline stated.
Among the passengers was also a five-member team of Trinamool Congress, which comprised Derek O'Brien, Nadimul Haque, Sagarika Ghose, Manas Bhunia, and Mamata Thakur.
It was a near-death experience. I thought my life was over. People were screaming, praying and panicking," Ghose remembered 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 said, recalling that the delegation profusely thanked the pilot after touchdown safely.
Social media quickly featured videos recording the harrowing turbulence, with passengers visibly shaken and praying as the plane shook wildly.
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