An Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jet inadvertently released an "air store" near the Pokhran firing range in Rajasthan on Wednesday, triggering an immediate enquiry into the incident.
The IAF attributed the unintentional release to a technical malfunction and assured that no damage to life or property had occurred.
"Air store", in the context of the IAF, is a term that usually refers to any external equipment or munitions attached to an aircraft that can be released or jettisoned during flight.
The incident took place during a routine exercise, with the exact nature of the air store—typically referring to munitions or other military equipment—yet to be disclosed.
The Pokhran firing range, a critical site for military testing and training, witnessed the unexpected deployment, which the IAF swiftly acknowledged in a post on X.
"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 the incident. No damage to life or property has been reported," the IAF stated in its post.
The incident has drawn attention due to its resemblance to a more significant event in March 2022, when a BrahMos missile was accidentally fired from India into Pakistan.
The missile, which was unarmed, caused damage to buildings and left a crater in Pakistan’s Punjab province, leading to initial fears and confusion.
Indian authorities later confirmed that the missile launch was a result of a "technical malfunction" during routine maintenance.
The 2022 incident, which could have escalated into a severe diplomatic crisis, prompted India to offer immediate apologies and explanations to Pakistan.
The IAF subsequently dismissed three officers, including a Wing Commander, for gross negligence, citing a financial loss of ₹25 crore to the government exchequer.
The current incident, though less severe, underscores the importance of stringent checks and protocols in military operations, particularly in sensitive areas like Pokhran.
The enquiry ordered by the IAF will likely focus on identifying the root cause of the malfunction and implementing measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.
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