In a shocking incident, a missile was fired accidentally from the Indian side into an area in Pakistan earlier this week. Disclosing the details about the same, the Defence Ministry of India said the incident was happened due to a technical malfunction, and it was deeply regrettable.
India has said the missile was fired into Pakistan because of a technical malfunction during routine maintenance, giving its version of events after Pakistan summoned India’s envoy to protest.
“On 9 March 2022, in the course of routine maintenance, a technical malfunction led to the accidental firing of a missile. The Government of India has taken a serious view and ordered a high-level Court of Enquiry,” the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.
“It is learnt that the missile landed in an area of Pakistan. While the incident is deeply regrettable, it is also a matter of relief that there has been no loss of life due to the accident,” it added.
According to Pakistan, the empty missile travelled over 100 km inside their airspace, at an altitude of 40,000 feet and at 3 times the speed of sound, before it hit the ground. As there was no warhead on the missile, it did not detonate.
Meanwhile, Pakistan called for an investigation into the matter, which it said could have endangered passenger flights and civilian lives.