The Indian Air Force (IAF) said that one of its fighter aircraft inadvertently released an air store near Pokhran Firing Range due to a technical fault. The IAF confirmed the incident in a social media post on Twitter, assuring the public that there was no loss of life or property. The incident occurred during a routine operation when air store usually refers to munitions, bombs or other military equipment carried by aircraft. The exact nature of the air store involved in the malfunction has not been disclosed. The IAF said an investigation into the cause of the technical fault has been ordered. The Indian Air Force posted on Twitter An air store of an Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter aircraft got inadvertently released near Pokhran Firing Range area today due to a technical fault.
An inquiry has been ordered by the Indian Air Force to investigate the incident. There has been no loss of life or property. The Pokhran Firing Range, located in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan, is a major site for testing and training exercises of the Indian Armed Forces.
2022 accidental BrahMos missile launch
The incident bears similarities to a more serious incident that occurred in March 2022, when a BrahMos missile was accidentally fired from India into Pakistan. The missile, which was unarmed, crashed into Mian Channu in Khanewal district of Pakistan’s Punjab. The unarmed missile damaged some buildings and left a crater in a field, causing initial confusion and concern among local residents. The incident, which could have led to serious diplomatic fallout or even military confrontation, was promptly acknowledged by Indian authorities as an accident, and attributed to a “technical malfunction” during routine maintenance.
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…
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) August 21, 2024
