ISLAMABAD – The Indian Defence Ministry on Friday admitted firing a missileinto Pakistan.
The Indian confession came a day after the Pakistan Army said “a high speedflying object” launched from India violated Pakistan’s airspace and landednear Mian Channu.
The Defence Ministry working under the Modi-led government termed the eventa ‘technical failure’. A statement issued in this regard cited: “In thecourse of a routine maintenance, a technical malfunction led to theaccidental firing of a missile on Wednesday that landed in an area ofPakistan.”
It added that the Indian government has taken serious notice and ordered ahigh-level court of enquiry.
Earlier today, Islamabad summoned Charge d’Affaires of India and conveyedstrong protest over the unprovoked violation of its airspace by an Indianorigin ‘super-sonic flying object’.
The flying object entered Pakistan from ‘Suratgarh’ India at 1843 hrs.(PST) on 9 March, 2022 and fell to ground near Mian Chunnu city in Pakistanat around 1850 hrs the same day causing damage to civilian property.
The Indian diplomat was conveyed that the imprudent launch of the flyingobject not only caused damage to civilian property but also put at riskhuman lives on ground. Besides, the flight path of the flying objectendangered several domestic/international flights within Pakistani airspaceand could have resulted in a serious aviation accident as well as civiliancasualties.
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The Indian official was told to convey to the Government of IndiaPakistan’s strong condemnation of this blatant violation of Pakistaniairspace in contravention of the established international norms andAviation safety protocols. Such irresponsible incidents were alsoreflective of India’s disregard for Air safety and callousness towardsregional peace and stability.
Pakistan calls for a thorough and transparent investigation of theincident, the outcome of which must be shared with Pakistan. Moreover, theGovernment of India is cautioned to be mindful of the unpleasantconsequences of such negligence and take effective measures to avoid therecurrence off such violations in future.
On Thursday, Director-General of the Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR)Major General Babar Iftikhar addressed a press conference in Rawalpindi.The military spokesperson said a projectile entered the Pakistani airspaceand caused some damage to surrounding areas after it fell near Mian Channuin Khanewal district.
Spokesperson for Pakistan Air Force Tariq Zia the object “was picked up ata high-altitude of 40,000 feet and was traveling at a speeding axis of Mach2.5 and ultimately Mach 3.” He said the total distance it travelled insidePakistan was 124 km, and from the total flight time of 6 minute 46 secondstill it hit the ground, it was in Pakistani territory for 3 minutes and 44seconds.