An Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jet on Wednesday accidentally released an air store during a training mission due to a technical snag. The incident occurred in the vicinity of Pokhran, Rajasthan, officials said. Fortunately, there were no casualties or damage reported on the ground.
Enquiry by IAF ordered
The IAF has initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the technical issue that led to the inadvertent release. Indian Air Force in an X post said, "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 enquiry by the IAF has been ordered to investigate into the incident. No damage to life or property has been reported."
The Pokhran firing range, situated in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan, is a crucial site for testing and training exercises by the Indian armed forces. This range has been historically significant for various military operations, including missile tests, artillery drills, and the testing of nuclear devices. It serves as a vital facility for the Indian military to conduct live-fire training and evaluate the performance of weapons systems under realistic conditions.
Accidental firing of Brahmos missile
The recent incident at the Pokhran firing range draws parallels with a more serious event from March 2022, when a BrahMos missile was accidentally fired from India into Pakistan. On March 9, 2022, the unarmed missile crashed into Mian Channu in the Khanewal District of Punjab, Pakistan, causing significant concern and highlighting the risks associated with technical mishaps in military operations.
The inquiry into the March 9 incident was done by Assistant Chief of Air Staff Operations (Offensive) Air Vice Marshal RK Sinha where during routine maintenance and inspection, a BrahMos missile got fired accidentally and landed up in the Mian Channu area of Pakistan. "More than one official has been found blameworthy for the incident which was totally avoidable. The guilty officials would be given a swift and severe punishment," government sources told ANI.
After the incident happened and countries including Pakistan tried to rake up the issue at international fora, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh assured Parliament that the missile system is very reliable and safe. "Moreover, our safety procedures and protocols are of the highest order and are reviewed from time to time. Our Armed Forces are well-trained and disciplined and are well experienced in handling such systems," he said.
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