IAF fighter jet accidentally drops air store near Pokhran during training exercise
- In Reports
- 07:28 PM, Aug 21, 2024
- Myind Staff
An Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jet accidentally released an air store during a training mission on Wednesday near the Pokhran firing range in Rajasthan, officials confirmed. The incident, attributed to a technical malfunction, fortunately, resulted in no casualties or damage on the ground.
The IAF promptly announced an investigation to ascertain the cause of the technical issue. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the IAF 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 a technical malfunction, today. An enquiry by the IAF has been ordered to investigate the incident. No damage to life or property has been reported."
The Pokhran firing range, located in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan, is a key site for the Indian armed forces' testing and training exercises. It has been historically significant for various military operations, including missile tests, artillery drills, and the testing of nuclear devices. The range is crucial for conducting live-fire training and evaluating the performance of weapons systems under realistic conditions.
This incident 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 landed in Mian Channu, Khanewal District, Punjab, Pakistan, causing significant concern and highlighting the risks associated with technical mishaps in military operations.
The inquiry into the March 9 incident was led by Assistant Chief of Air Staff Operations (Offensive) Air Vice Marshal RK Sinha. The investigation revealed that the BrahMos missile was accidentally fired during routine maintenance and inspection. It concluded that "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," according to government sources quoted by ANI.
Following the 2022 incident, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh assured Parliament that India's missile systems are reliable and secure. He stated, "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."
The current investigation into the Pokhran incident will aim to prevent any recurrence of such technical malfunctions in the future.
Image source: PTI
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