This comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Wednesday afternoon that India has became "a space superpower" as its anti-satellite missile A-SAT successfully targeted a live satellite on a low earth orbit in just three minutes. The same has triggered a political slugfest. Several opposition parties questioned the timing of the test which was conducted at 11.16am today, and the announcement by PM Modi that was made an hour later. They have also alleged that it was done only for political mileage.
Several leaders of various opposition parties, including Congress, SP, BSP, TMC and Left, said they would approach the Election Commission as it violated the poll code.
See Pics| Mission Shakti: See Pics of anti-satellite missile launched by DRDO
The Prime Minister in his nationally televised speech said, "A while ago, India achieved a historic feat. It has entered its name as a space superpower. An Anti-Satellite A-SAT missile successfully targeted a live satellite in space 300 km away in a low earth orbit. Till now, only the US, Russia and China had this capability. He added, "India is the fourth country to achieve this feat."
The Prime Minister said "Mission Shakti" was "a highly complex" operation, conducted at extremely high speed with remarkable precision. "It shows the remarkable dexterity of India's outstanding scientists and the success of our space programme."
The mission was an important step in securing India's safety, economic growth and technological advancement, PM said. The Prime Minister, however, did not reveal which low earth orbiting satellite was hit.