Services Of 3 IAF Officers Terminated Over Accidental BrahMos Missile Firing Incident

India had in March said the missile had entered Pakistan due to 'accidental firing' caused by 'a technical malfunction'.

The services of three Indian Air Force (IAF) officers were terminated by the Centre on Tuesday in connection with an incident earlier this year when a BrahMos missile landed in Pakistan after being accidentally fired, ANI reported. The services of a Group Captain and two Wing Commanders were terminated.

An official statement said the services of the officers were terminated after a Court of Inquiry (CoI) found that deviation from the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) by them led to the accidental firing of the missile.

"Three officers have primarily been held responsible for the BrahMos missile misfiring incident on March 9, 2022. Their services have been terminated by Central Govt with immediate effect. Termination orders have been served upon the officers on August 23," the IAF said in a statement.

Pakistan had claimed the missile launched from India entered its airspace and fell near Mian Channu in Khanewal district, causing damage to civilian property.

READ | 'Accidental' Missile Launch At Pakistan: Initial Probe Holds Group Capt Responsible

Pakistan had summoned India's Charge d'Affaires in Islamabad and conveyed its strong protest over the "unprovoked" violation of its airspace.

"The flight path of the flying object endangered several domestic/international flights within Pakistani airspace and could have resulted in a serious aviation accident as well as civilian casualties," the Pakistan Foreign Ministry had said.

India said the missile had entered Pakistan due to "accidental firing" caused by "a technical malfunction" in the course of its routine maintenance.

The Defence Ministry said the government had taken a serious view of the incident and ordered a 'Court of Enquiry' into it.

"On March 9, 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," the Defence Ministry had 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 said.

The BrahMos missile, which has a range of over 400 km compared to earlier versions, is one of the most dependable long-range cruise missiles in India's arsenal.