India regrets violating Pakistan airspace by accidental firing of missile

New Delhi said it regretted the accidental landing of a missile in Pakistan.

On Thursday, the Pakistan Pakistan Air Force had claimed that India launched a surface-to-surface missile from Sirsa. The missile was intended for Mahajan field firing ranges in Rajasthan but travelled more than 100km into Pakistan and landed in Mian Channu in Pakistan Punjab.

The ministry of defence stated that in the course of a 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," MoD said in a statement, admitting 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."

Major General Babar Iftikhar, Director General, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) of Pakistani Armed Forces, had said at 18:43 hours on March 9, "a high-speed flying object was picked up inside Indian flying territory by Air Defence Operations Centre of the Pakistani Air Force. From its initial course, the object suddenly maneuvered towards Pakistani territory and violated Pakistan's airspace ultimately falling near Mia Channu."