POKHRAN: An Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jet “inadvertently” released an “air store” at the Pokhran Firing Range in Rajasthan on Wednesday, according to the IAF. No injuries have been reported, and a court of inquiry has been ordered to investigate the incident.
The IAF stated that the release was due to a technical malfunction. “An inadvertent release of an air store from an IAF fighter aircraft occurred near the Pokhran firing range area today due to a technical malfunction,” the IAF announced on ‘X’.
The term “air store” refers to external equipment or munitions attached to a fighter jet’s hard points. Such stores can be jettisoned during combat missions. The specifics of the aircraft involved and the nature of the air store remain undisclosed.
The Pokhran Firing Range, situated in the Thar Desert, is a remote location used by the Indian Armed Forces for weapon testing and firing exercises.
According to Press Trust of India, Sub-Inspector Shankar Lal of the Ramdevra police station reported that a loud bang was heard approximately a kilometer from the village. Residents who investigated found debris from the object at the scene.
This incident comes after the Indian Air Force’s major exercise, ‘Gagan Shakti,’ which took place in April at the Pokhran Firing Range, involving various IAF fighter jets, helicopters, and aircraft.
