ISLAMABAD: The Indian Army misfired three missiles during a military exercise in the Pokharan ranges in the western Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan state, causing alarm in the surrounding areas, Indian media reported.
According to India Today, the firing exercise was underway at the Pokhran field when the three surface-to-air missiles were misfired.
The missiles struck fields in different surrounding villages, causing loud explosions; however, no casualty or damage to property was reported.
The misfire missiles were attributed to a technical glitch that occurred during the exercise.
India Today quoted defence spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amitabh Sharma saying an investigation had been initiated and further action would be taken accordingly.
According to India Today, the debris from two misfired missiles has been recovered, but the third missile has not yet been located. Police and Army teams are currently searching for the missing missile.
The report added that the Indian Army was conducting a firing exercise when three missiles ranging from 10 to 25 kilometers deviated from their path due to a technical fault.
Incidents of Indian Army misfire missiles
The misfired missile caused huge damage to the field, creating a large crater in its impact zone.
In August last year, the Indian government sacked three military officers for accidentally firing a missile into Pakistan, an incident that the two sides handled calmly as there were no casualties.
“A Court of Inquiry, set up to examine the facts of the case, including fixing responsibility for the incident, found that deviation from the SOPs by three officers led to the accidental missile firing,” the Indian Air Force had said in a statement.
After the misfire incident was reported, the Pakistan Foreign Office summoned the Indian High Commissioner to register a protest over the unprovoked violation of its airspace. The Foreign Office said such “irresponsible incidents” reflected the neighbouring country’s “disregard for air safety and callousness towards regional peace and stability”.
