Flight Logs Reveal India’s Use of Civilian Airlines as Shields in Operation Sindoor
Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) analysis has revealed disturbing evidence that civilian flights were deliberately used as cover during India’s military operation, Operation Sindoor, in May 2025. This tactic, executed during heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, raises serious legal, ethical, and humanitarian concerns. The intentional rerouting of commercial airliners into active conflict zones not only endangered hundreds of civilian lives but also violated international laws, including the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute. This article provides a detailed breakdown of the evidence, timeline, and implications, supported by OSINT data from flight trackers, satellite imagery, and official briefings.
🧵 Use of Civilian Airliners as 'Human Shields' by India in #OperationSindoor
— Ciphar 1337 (@Callsign_Ciphar) June 23, 2025
On May 6, we were closely monitoring Indian airspace before the attack. At 12:00 am May 7 PKT when the first commercial flight THA961 was diverted upwards along with others , (details below)
(1/n) pic.twitter.com/51FELyvEM8
Flight Path Deviations: A Deliberate and Dangerous Pattern
Under normal circumstances, international flights traversing South Asian airspace adhere to east-south-easterly routes to avoid high-risk zones near conflict-prone areas like the India-Pakistan border. However, flight tracking data from May 6, 2025, at 19:00 UTC (00:00 PST, May 7) reveals a significant deviation from these standard routes. Multiple civilian flights were rerouted northward, placing them dangerously close to or directly within the operational zones of the Indian Air Force (IAF). The affected flights included:
- THA961 (Thai Airways)
- KAC381 (Kuwait Airways)
- THA911 (Thai Airways)
- THA931 (Thai Airways)
- KLM809 (Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur)
- QTR85V (Qatar Airways)
- CSN8070 (China Southern Airlines

Flight logs and satellite imagery shared on X by OSINT analyst @Callsign_Ciphar and a detailed report by Fahad Masood Aviation analyst, combined with data from Flightradar24, confirm that these flights were diverted into airspace overlapping with IAF strike zones during Operation Sindoor. This deviation was not random but a calculated move, as evidenced by the immediate return of these flights to standard routes after the IAF completed its strikes.
Timeline of Events: Strategic Coordination Exposed
The timeline of events during the early hours of May 7, 2025, provides critical insight into the coordinated nature of these actions:
- 19:10 UTC (00:10 PST): The Indian Air Force launches airstrikes targeting nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Jammu & Kashmir, as part of Operation Sindoor.
- 19:12 UTC (00:12 PST): The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) responds with defensive measures, engaging IAF aircraft.
- 19:35 UTC (00:35 PST): Confirmed strike times align with the presence of civilian flights in the conflict zone.
During this critical 25-minute window, civilian aircraft were present in airspace that coincided with IAF strike packages. This overlap was not coincidental but a deliberate tactic, as the rerouting of flights was temporary and reversed post-strike, according to flight tracking data reviewed by The Indian Express and OSINT sources.
Intersection of Military and Civilian Air Traffic: A Calculated Risk

Pakistan Air Force Briefings Expose IAF Tactics

The Pakistan Air Force released a detailed “Reconstruction of Events” briefing, including slides that map IAF strike zones over Jammu & Kashmir and the Line of Control (LOC). These zones align precisely with the rerouted paths of civilian flights, confirming that Indian military planners and Air Traffic Control (ATC) were fully aware of the presence of commercial airliners. Pakistani Army spokesperson DGISPR Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry highlighted that 57 civilian flights, including those from Middle Eastern and East Asian airlines, were in Pakistani airspace during the strikes, putting thousands of passengers at risk.
Strategic Use of Civilian Aircraft as Human Shields
The evidence points to a deliberate strategy by India to use civilian flights as “human shields” to deter retaliatory strikes by the PAF. After the IAF completed its precision strikes on May 7, 2025, civilian flights were promptly rerouted back to standard safe corridors, as shown by Flightradar24 data. This temporary positioning of airliners in conflict zones indicates intentional coordination at a military and governmental level. Such actions endangered passengers and violated fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.
Legal and Ethical Violations: A Breach of International Norms
Violation of the Geneva Conventions and Rome Statute
India’s use of civilian aircraft as cover during Operation Sindoor constitutes a direct violation of Protocol I of the Geneva Conventions, which prohibits the use of civilians to shield military operations. Specifically, Article 8(2)(b)(xxiii) of the Rome Statute classifies this tactic as a war crime, as it involves “utilizing the presence of a civilian or other protected person to render certain points, areas, or military forces immune from military operations.” By intentionally routing civilian flights into active conflict zones, India endangered non-combatants and disregarded international legal standards.
Civilian Safety at Risk
Had the Pakistan Air Force responded with less precision, the consequences could have been catastrophic. The presence of civilian aircraft in the strike zones increased the risk of accidental downing, potentially leading to the loss of hundreds of lives. This reckless endangerment of international airliners for military advantage highlights a severe ethical breach and a disregard for global aviation safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Global Accountability: A Call to Action
The OSINT investigations provide irrefutable evidence of India’s misuse of civilian flights during Operation Sindoor. The international community, including the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), must take urgent action to address these violations. Key findings include:
- Intentional Rerouting: Civilian aircraft were deliberately diverted into conflict zones to serve as shields for IAF operations.
- Coordinated Effort: The alignment of military strikes with civilian flight paths indicates high-level coordination between Indian military and ATC authorities.
- Need for Consequences: International legal frameworks must hold India accountable to prevent future violations of civilian safety.
For further details, refer to flight tracking data from Flightradar24 and OSINT reports by @Callsign_Ciphar Click Here and Fahad Masood Report Click Here.
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