Pioneer in short
India announces relief flights
The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) on Monday announced that IndiGo plans 10 special relief flights from Jeddah to India on Tuesday, March 3, to help stranded passengers, pending approvals and airspace conditions. The airline is coordinating with the Indian Consulate in Jeddah. Air India Express will also resume flights to and from Muscat on Tuesday. The announcement followed a high-level review chaired by Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu, attended by Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha and senior officials. MoCA said it is closely monitoring Middle East airspace and its impact on international operations. Indian carriers have adjusted schedules, resuming long-haul flights via alternate routes that avoid restricted airspace. Aircraft and crew repositioning is underway, and additional capacity is being deployed to facilitate passenger movement. Foreign carriers are also operating limited services. Passengers are urged to check official airline updates for flight status, refunds, and assistance. Over 300 international flights were cancelled Monday due to ongoing disruptions.
Conflict to last 4-5 weeks, says Trump
US President Donald Trump on Monday said Iran operations are likely to last four to five weeks but that he's prepared "to go far longer than that." Trump spoke Monday at a White House ceremony. The war in West Asia spiralled further Monday as Israel and the US pounded Iran. Tehran and its allies hit back against Israel, neighbouring Gulf States, and targets critical to the world's production of oil and natural gas. The intensity of the attacks, the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and the lack of any apparent exit plan has set the stage for a prolonged conflict in a volatile region.
Kashmir Protests Leave 14 Injured
At least 14 people, including six security personnel, were injured on the second day of protests across Jammu and Kashmir following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a reported US-Israeli strike, officials said. Authorities imposed sweeping restrictions, shut schools and throttled mobile internet across the Union Territory as a precaution. Around 75 rallies were held in the Kashmir Valley, with smaller demonstrations in Jammu. Most were peaceful, though clashes in parts of Srinagar, Pulwama and Budgam left eight protesters and six security personnel injured. Security forces used mild force to disperse crowds in some areas. Restrictions were tightened amid a one-day strike call by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, which drew support from political parties, including Mehbooba Mufti. Ghanta Ghar at Lal Chowk was sealed, with heavy deployment of police and paramilitary forces.
