An Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jet “inadvertently” released an “air store” at the Pokhran Firing Range in Rajasthan, causing a loud bang that alarmed nearby residents. The incident, which occurred due to a technical malfunction, did not result in any injuries, according to a statement from the Indian Air Force. A court of inquiry has been ordered to investigate the matter.
The term “air store” refers to the external equipment or munitions attached to a fighter jet, typically located on its underbelly or sides, which can be jettisoned during combat missions. It remains unclear which specific aircraft was involved in the incident or what type of air store was released.
The IAF shared details of the incident on the social media platform ‘X’, stating, “An inadvertent release of an air store from an Indian Air Force fighter aircraft took place near Pokhran firing range area, due to technical malfunction, today.”
The Pokhran Firing Range, situated in the Thar Desert, is a secluded area used by the Indian Armed Forces for testing weapons and conducting firing exercises. The incident caused a stir among locals when some residents heard a loud bang approximately a kilometer away from their village. Sub-Inspector Shankar Lal of the Ramdevra police station reported that concerned villagers rushed to the spot and found pieces of an unidentified object scattered around the area.
This incident follows the IAF’s largest-ever exercise, ‘Gagan Shakti,’ which took place in April at the same firing range in Jaisalmer. The exercise involved all major IAF fighter jets, helicopters, and aircraft in an extensive display of military readiness and capability.
As the IAF investigates the technical malfunction that led to the inadvertent release, further details are expected to emerge about the exact nature of the air store and the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Sources By Agencies
