IAF Releases Air Store by Mistake in Pokhran

New Delhi: The Indian Air Force (IAF) reported on Wednesday that one of its fighter aircraft unintentionally released an "air store" near the Pokhran firing range area due to a technical malfunction. In military terminology, "air stores" refer to bombs or missiles carried under the belly of a fighter jet.

The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, did not result in any casualties or damage to property on the ground. An inquiry has been ordered by the IAF to investigate the cause of the malfunction.

Social media images showed a small crater at the site where the air store landed. According to a local police official from Ramdevra police station, some villagers reported hearing a loud bang about a kilometre from the village. They found debris from the object at the site.

This incident follows a previous accident two years ago, when an unarmed BrahMos missile was accidentally fired into Pakistan. A Court of Inquiry later determined that deviations from Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) by three officers were responsible for the accidental launch.

The IAF's current investigation aims to determine the factors contributing to the recent malfunction and prevent similar occurrences in the future.