A missile was accidentally fired from India into Pakistan on Wednesday, caused by a “technical malfunction” during maintenance, the Indian Defense Ministry said.
The missile traveled 77 miles into Pakistani airspace before it crashed near the eastern city of Mian Channu. The missile’s flight path endangered passenger flights in both countries’ airspace, a Pakistani military official said, according to the BBC.
Pakistan and India have an extensive history of tensions along the border, especially in the region of Kashmir. Both countries are armed with nuclear weapons and agreed to a cease-fire agreement last year. Not one incident has happened between the two up until this, according to Outlook India.
India said the missile firing was “deeply regrettable” but it was a “matter of relief” that no one was killed. The government ordered a high-level investigation, the Indian Defense Ministry said in a statement on Friday. India did not release the type of missile that was accidentally fired.
In a media briefing on Thursday night, Pakistan’s military official said its air defense network picked up a flying object about 64 miles (104 kilometers) from the border. The missile was traveling three times faster than the speed of sound and reached an altitude of 40,000 feet (12,000 meters) before it crashed, according to the Hindustan Times.
Pakistani Major General Babar Iftikhar told reporters that the incident shows India’s “disregard for aviation safety and reflects poorly on their technological prowess.”
He added that “the incident could have resulted in a major aviation disaster as well as civilian casualties on the ground,” according to The Wall Street Journal.
Update 3/11/22, 3:19 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Prakash Singh/ AFP/Getty Images
A missile was accidentally fired from India into Pakistan on Wednesday, caused by a “technical malfunction” during maintenance, the Indian Defense Ministry said.The missile traveled 77 miles into Pakistani airspace before it crashed near the eastern city of Mian Channu. The missile’s flight path endangered passenger flights in both countries’ airspace, a Pakistani military official said, according to the BBC.Pakistan and India have an extensive history of tensions along the border, especially in the region of Kashmir. Both countries are armed with nuclear weapons and agreed to a cease-fire agreement last year. Not one incident has happened between the two up until this, according to Outlook India.India said the missile firing was “deeply regrettable” but it was a “matter of relief” that no one was killed. The government ordered a high-level investigation, the Indian Defense Ministry said in a statement on Friday. India did not release the type of missile that was accidentally fired.In a media briefing on Thursday night, Pakistan’s military official said its air defense network picked up a flying object about 64 miles (104 kilometers) from the border. The missile was traveling three times faster than the speed of sound and reached an altitude of 40,000 feet (12,000 meters) before it crashed, according to the Hindustan Times.Pakistani Major General Babar Iftikhar told reporters that the incident shows India’s “disregard for aviation safety and reflects poorly on their technological prowess.”He added that “the incident could have resulted in a major aviation disaster as well as civilian casualties on the ground,” according to The Wall Street Journal.Update 3/11/22, 3:19 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information. Above, an Indian soldier salutes as they march with Akash Surface-to-Air missiles during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on January 26, 2020. Prakash Singh/ AFP/Getty Images