IAF Jet's Air Store Mishap Near Pokhran: No Harm, Enquiry Launched

The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Wednesday reported that one of its fighter aircraft inadvertently released an "air store" near the Pokhran firing range due to a technical malfunction.

The incident was confirmed by the IAF in a social media post on X, where the public was reassured that no damage to life or property had occurred.

Enquiry On Mishap Initiated

An enquiry has been ordered by the IAF to investigate the incident further. The incident took place during a routine operation when the air store-referring to munitions, bombs, or other military equipment carried by aircraft-was unintentionally deployed. The specific nature of the air store involved has not yet been disclosed.

The Pokhran firing range, situated in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan, serves as a crucial site for testing and training exercises by the Indian armed forces, as reported by Hindustan Times. This incident has drawn comparisons to a more serious event that occurred in March 2022, when a BrahMos missile was accidentally launched from India into Pakistan.

The unarmed missile, which landed in Mian Channu in the Khanewal District of Punjab, Pakistan, caused damage to some buildings and left a crater in a field, leading to initial confusion and concern among local residents, as per media reports. The incident was quickly acknowledged by Indian authorities as an accident, attributed to a "technical malfunction" during routine maintenance.

The accidental launch resulted in a loss of approximately ₹25 crore to the government exchequer, as reported by the IAF to the Delhi High Court. The incident also led to the dismissal of three IAF officers, including a Wing Commander, due to gross negligence.