The Indian Air force (IAF) on Wednesday reported that one of its fighter aircrafts released an “air store” near the Pokhran firing range due to a technical malfunction. In a post on X, the IAF confirmed the incident and assured the public that no damage to life or property has been reported.
The incident reportedly occurred during a routine operation when the air store was unintentionally deployed.IAF has said that an enquiry has been ordered to see the cause of the technical glitch.
The Indian Air Force took to X and posted, “An inadvertent release of an air store from an Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter aircraft took place near Pokhran firing range area, due to technical malfunction, today. An inquiry by the IAF has been ordered to investigate the incident. No damage to life or property has been reported.Located in Rajasthan’s Thar Desert, the Pokhran firing range serves as a crucial testing and training ground for the Indian armed forces.
Accidental BrahMos missile launch
The incident draws parallels to a significant mishap in March 2022, when India mistakenly launched an unarmed BrahMos missile into Pakistan. The missile impacted Mian Channu in Punjab’s Khanewal District, causing structural damage and creating a crater, which triggered initial panic and confusion among locals.
This incident, which had the potential to lead to severe diplomatic fallout or even military confrontation, was immediately acknowledged by Indian authorities as an accident, associating it to a “technical malfunction” during routine maintenance.
