Loud explosions were heard in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, causing residents to rush out of their homes, while flights at the airport were temporarily suspended and the airspace was closed.
According to local media reports, loud explosions were heard across Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and surrounding areas, prompting residents to leave their homes.
Social media speculations have called it a drone strike on the federal capital’s airport; however, there is no confirmation from the authorities.
Express News reported citing sources that the loud sounds were caused by fighter jets in flight, as rehearsals for the March 23 parade were underway in Islamabad.
اسلام آباد
تھانہ آئی نائن کی حدود میں ڈرون گرنے کی اطلاع۔ پولیس اور دیگر حساس ادارے موقعہ پر پہنچ گئے۔ ڈرون(سی آئی اے) کی عمارت کے پیچھے نالے کے قریب گرا۔ pic.twitter.com/AaxTLjXvOn— M.UsmanButt (@UsmanbuttJr) March 13, 2026
Officials said that the sonic boom occurred due to the high-speed flights of the jets. As a precaution, flights at Islamabad Airport were temporarily suspended, and planes were prevented from taking off or landing.
It was also reported that the airspace over Islamabad was closed for fighter jet rehearsals as part of the parade preparations. The Pakistan Airports Authority confirmed that the airspace over New Islamabad Airport remained closed for more than an hour.
A statement added that, for operational reasons, a temporary adjustment in flight operations was made at Islamabad International Airport today, but all flights are now operating normally.
