Last Thursday (09/03) Pakistan declared that India fired an unarmed supersonic missile towards its territory. The action took place on March 09, and according to data, the missile took off from Sirsa and landed in an uninhabited area near Mia Channu (Pakistan) after traveling 124 km.
Pakistan accused India of endangering commercial flights traveling between Indian and Pakistani airspace at the time, as radar data indicated the presence of the missile at 40000 feet on a parabolic trajectory and supersonic speed (Mach 3). In addition, the weapon could reach areas with civilians.
All information was ed on by Major General Babar Iftikhar, Director General of Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR) of the Armed Forces of Pakistan.
“Whatever caused this incident, it is up to the Indians to explain”, Iftikhar said at the press conference. “This, however, shows their disregard for aviation safety and reflects very poorly on their technological prowess and procedural efficiency”.
India confirmed that the missile was its property and said a technical malfunction led to the accidental discharge of the weapon, which was without a warhead at the time.
“While the incident is deeply regrettable, it is also a matter of relief that there was no loss of life due to the accident.”, said part of a statement from the Indian Armed Forces.
The incident further exacerbates conflicts between the countries over Kashmir, a region currently istered and claimed by India and Pakistan. Some attacks between countries in this place occurred in 2019, however without progression of the conflict, which was the first in the region since 1971.
