Pakistan Plotting Passenger Aircraft Crash In Delhi? GPS Spoofing Sparks Security Concerns | India News

Months after India grappled with the aftermath of the Air India crash in Ahmedabad, a new aviation safety concern has emerged in the skies of the national capital. Many airlines have reported massive incidents of GPS spoofing affecting aircraft operating in and out of Delhi (possibly by Pakistan), prompting aviation authorities to step in.

Incorrect position and navigation data were detected on aircraft within a radius of about 60 nautical miles of Delhi over the past week, according to pilots and air traffic controllers, The Hindu reported. In some cases, cockpit systems issued misleading warnings, including terrain warnings that suggested obstacles that did not actually exist.

A commercial airline pilot reported encountering fake navigation signals on all six flights he took last week. “During the approach, the system warned of terrain ahead even though the road was clear,” The Hindu quoted a pilot as saying. Similar disruptions were reported during takeoff, and at times the crew was forced to rely on manual navigation guidance from air traffic control. The disturbances also contributed to flight delays during peak traffic periods at Delhi Airport.

Although GPS interference is known to occur near India’s western border, particularly close to Pakistan, its appearance in the capital is highly unusual, officials say. No NOTAM or military exercise recommendations were issued to explain the cuts, raising concerns.

Government data presented in Parliament earlier this year revealed 465 cases of GPS interference or spoofing along the border (mostly in the Amritsar and Jammu sectors) between November 2023 and February 2025; This means an average of one incident per day.

What is GPS Spoofing?

GPS spoofing is a cyber tactic that manipulates aircraft navigation systems into displaying a false location or altitude by sending fake satellite signals. Both the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) have previously warned that such interference poses a growing global aviation security risk.

Could Counterfeiting Cause a Plane Crash?

Aviation experts note that modern aircraft are equipped with numerous backup navigation systems, including Inertial Reference Systems, which can maintain safe operation for hours even if GPS data is compromised. This eliminates the possibility of spoofing itself causing a crash.

But experts warn that spoofing can lead to high workload situations, confusion in the cockpit and false navigation clues. In complex airspace or during critical flight phases such as landing, these factors can increase the risk of errors or incidents if not managed promptly.

Government Response

The General Directorate of Civil Aviation (SHGM) initiates a technical investigation and collects flight data records and ATC logs. The Ministry of Civil Aviation is also evaluating whether the interference was caused by cross-border electronic activity, but officials emphasize that no definitive statement has been made so far.